At 04:21 AM 04/19/2000, Patrisia wrote: *************START OF ORIGINAL MESSAGE TEXT************* Sgt George! I'm surprised I found something you don't know about! LOL I first heard of BlackICE Defender via ZDnet. I was referred to their "Products" link at http://www.zdnet.com/products. This took me to a PC Magazine article about BlackICE and what it does. Basically, it refers to those with DSL or cable modem access to the Net. The article talks about those users on a network, then goes on to explain a firewall. It says that "what sets BlackICE apart from a firewall is that it dynamically adjusts the degree of security as it watches for attacks against your system. when an attack is executed against the workstation, BlackICE blocks all access from the intruder's IP address." The article later addresses home users "who usually do not have an intricate firewall setup but want to be made aware of who is trying to access their machines . . ." Single user price is $39.95. Now, my question is: With Norton Internet Security 2000 on my computer, do I also need BlackICE? Does anyone out there with either product have an opinion? TIA Patrisia **************END OF ORIGINAL MESSAGE TEXT************** Yes, you need some kind of "firewall" on your PC, even if you have Norton installed. I don't "think" that Norton Internet Security 2000 will set up a "firewall" for you, on your personal system. As to whether you should pay $39.95 - NO, NO, NO!!!!! You can get exactly the same protection from a FREE program called ZoneAlarm. Just because a program promises great things, and is highly priced enough to make you think that it MUST be worth it, doesn't mean that it is actually worth anything. Go to: http://www.zonelabs.com to download ZoneAlarm. (P.S. Since I have never used Norton Internet Security 2000, I guess I should say that I don't "think" that this sets up a PC "firewall" for you. I could be wrong. It's just that I subscribe to so many danged services, including Norton, that I think I would have seen any announcement that this Norton application would provide such a "firewall". If any of you know about it, and can say differently, please let the rest of us know.) Regards,