In article <JHaBe.6251$zj4.3048@trndny06>, DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net
says...
> From: "Louise" <none@nospam.com>
>
> | Win XP Pro, SP2 with MS firewall turned off. Heavy home/office user
> | with cable ISP. Use Firefox 85% of the time. Use Outlook as my
> | email/pim.
> |
> | I'm wondering whether I really need to run the amount of security
> | software I'm running or whether it's taking too much overhead.
> |
> | I have a Linksys NAT router. I run Sygate Pro. I run Avast with all
> | the shields active.
> |
> | I used to run Spysweeper only when I actually wanted to scan my machine
> | every week or so.
> |
> | I've just switched to Spyware Doctor (was this a good idea?), and I'm
> | once again wondering whether I should leave it running "on guard" all
> | the time or whether it's unnecessary use of resources.
> |
> | Any thoughts about Spyware Doctor and is it bloated - does it use an
> | inordinate amount of resources? Is it intrusive?
> |
> | TIA
> |
> | Louise
>
> The software sounds fine.
>
> However, I do suggest the you block both TCP and UDP ports 135 ~ 139 and 445 on the Router.
>
> Depending on the model and version, the settings are at the following URL...
> http://192.168.1.1/Filters.htm
>
>
Thanks.

Could you tell me what these ports are sometimes used for (other than
"bad" things)?

I just want to be sure I'm not blocking something I use and want.

Louise