I will survive:
1. Hardware firewall. For small-office Wi-Fi networking, the most affordable secure firewall is the Linksys Wireless-G WRT54G router (left, about $60 USD street), which also offers four ports for wired Ethernet. If you wish to install third-party Linux firmware, get the WRT54GL ($70). To cover more than a few adjacent rooms, consider the Linksys WRT54GX ($160), which doubles the usual "g" range. Be sure to enable WPA or WPA2, either of which provide strong Wi-Fi security. The WRT54G and WRT54GX are PC Magazine Editors' Choice winners.
2. Security suite. ZoneAlarm Security Suite 6 (left, $60 street) is rated as the best all-in-one software firewall, antivirus program, and antispam filter — now with antispyware scanning and Windows OS kernel protection. It's received Editors' Choice awards from both PC Magazine and CNET. With the ZA Security Suite, there's no longer any reason to purchase separate antivirus, antispam, and software-firewall applications. (Turn off ZA's real-time spyware protection so this can be handled by your antispyware program, shown below.) Note: One magazine, PC World, recently rated Panda Platinum Internet Security 2005 higher than ZA Security Suite.
3. Antispyware program. For individual PC users, the most effective remover of spyware is Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.5 (left, under $35 per year), according to comparative tests published by PC Magazine. The previous version, 4.0, was also top-rated in tests by PC World. (Note: PC Mag has also given an Editors' Choice to Encore PC Tools Spyware Doctor 3.2.) For businesses that are looking for a centrally managed solution for 10 or more seats, Webroot's Spy Sweeper Enterprise ($240 per year for 10 users) has won the latest comparative review by Windows IT Pro and was rated a Best Buy by SC Magazine.
4. Update management. Individual users should opt into the new, free Microsoft Update, an improvement over Windows Update. You should also turn on the auto-download features of any installed apps you may have. For small to medium networks, Microsoft provides the free WSUS (Windows Server Update Services), which automates the downloading of critical patches for Windows, Office, and Exchange. For larger businesses, GFI LANguard Network Security Scanner (left, $375 for 25 users) is a broader product, top-rated by WindowSecurity.com and MCSE World. The latter site also publishes a helpful tutorial on LANguard NSS and Shavlik's HFNetChkPro ($900 for 25 users).
Sorry prices for US!