Yes, McAfee is an incoming and outgoing firewall, although you can change a setting so that you're not notified if a program attempts to access the Internet (but that's not advised). Basically, the built-in Windows firewall is better than nothing at all, but not by much. If you want real protection, get the McAfee, especially since your ISP offers it at no cost to you. Until you get the McAfee installed, you should at least be using the Windows firewall. But as soon as you install McAfee, you should disable the Windows firewall.

it does take a little getting used to and letting the program learn, it will pop up and ask you do you want to let such and such connect to the internet you will likely know what is asking because you are trying to use something that needs access so in those cases say yes, if it is something that needs to access it regularly like your antivirus check mark where it says remember this so it does not ask each time. Do not give server rights some things will ask but it is not necessary once you say no to server rights it will next pop up asking for access, that you can allow. If it is something you do not recognize asking then say no and see if you can determine what it is, if you had some type of malware that is trying to phone home you would not want to allow that access. I prefer mine to pop up and ask each time with some of the rarely used stuff I like to know what is connecting. When getting zonealarm or any other free firewall or any program actually be very alert during the install period and uncheck or do not allow the addition of any toolbars or extras, Zone alarm unfortunately now does try to include a toolbar with the free version, you do not want that toolbar. and if you have problems or questions just ask. When something like generic win 32 something ask for permission say yes or you will not be able to connect to the internet, that is one to check mark always allow. Yes as grandms said with cable you have a direct connection and with no router in between you and the internet that even more dictates the use of a software firewall. The benefit of a router with built in hardware firewall is great but I use both on my windows machines, actually my linux has guarddog firewall built into it so I even have one on linux. The link I had provided the main reason I do refer that link is that there are such good instructions and pictures for someone new to firewalls.

Wow, that was a fast reply! Thanks RC! Now the next million dollar question..I saw a bunch of things that I'm not sure about..should I be worried about this entry I found? Thanks so much, I didn't know I could check that stuff. Here's the thing, I don't use the windows firewall (to my knowledge anyway), my antivirus software has one though. I really appreciate your help on this, I keep getting these darn attacks, one popped up when I was reading your instructions. >:( =:O A port was listed as an exception when the Windows Firewall started. Policy origin: Local Policy Profile used: Standard Interface: All interfaces Name: SSDP Component of UPnP Framework Port number: 1900 Protocol: UDP State: Disabled Scope: Local subnet only

This thread has become like a train wreck to me. I can't stop looking at the replies but I will hopefully soon. I appreciate the time taken to reply, even though some of the comments have been a little bizarre. Thank you, mojomom, and a couple others, for being voices of reason in this *most confusing post ever*. I know nothing about building. I understand if people are alarmed that this is somehow a disaster, but that said, it is what it is. It is an existing and ongoing project. I won't repeat that others have lived here for 10 years or so, but I guess I just did. I have no pictures and will not be driving there to take them. Picture a brick rectangle with a roof and windows and cement floor. No walls at all. There are windows in this rectangle, four on each floor. It has been measured out...surveyed??...surely you know what I mean, please no critical comment on my choice of words there. Each measure space is a unit. That is how it looks and that is what the picture would show. I have already talked to: Codes, Architect, Builder, one neighbor but the neighbor was a long time ago and they are the ones who have lived there for so long. There's is totally finished and beautiful. At this point all I'm hoping to find is another estimate for the firewall. That's it. The reason I keep coming back to this site is because I can't stop trying to explain just how it looks...not how it came to be, why it happened, why it's probably a ponzi scheme, whether or not there are squatters. I think that's where this post went astray when the first response started yelling about SQUATTERS.