Hi, juneroses...

I can either ask you a lot of questions, or give you pages of options... But, I'll briefly provide an overview without details. Then, we can discuss your situation and hopefully provide you with the information needed.

It seems that you have a cable modem which is connected to your PC directly, either by wire or wireless. The bad news is your PC is exposed directly to the Internet with all the good and bad influences. The web browser, IE 6, has nothing to do with that connection.

The good news is there should be a "cutoff" switch on the cable modem. With this, you can quickly disconnect from the Internet when you suspect something nefarious is occurring.

The "cutoff" switch can be used anytime. For example, it could be turned off when you are finished using the Internet and want to concentrate on a spreadsheet or other "off-line" activity. Just remember to turn it on when you want to connect to the Internet again. :-)

For improved protection, you should have a firewall. This can be a software firewall, running on your PC. You may already have a firewall if your operating system is only a year or two old. Or, a physical firewall, found in routers. Linksys is a popular brand that can be purchased in many stores, including Wal-Mart.

The router also provides some additional protection by buffering your PC or home network from the Internet. The router uses "Network Address Translation", NAT to "hide" your PC from the Internet.

It's like using a PO box for your mail. People sending mail to your PO box don't necessarily know your true address, where you live.

Add a good anti-virus and a good anti-spyware applications, and you should be as protected as can be expected.

With all that said, the answer to your specific questions are:
1. Yes, you are connected regardless if the browser is open.
2. Yes, under the conditions described, the key logger could "do its thing".

But, as noted above, these answers are based on the information provided. There are a number of things that alter those answers.

Hope this helps...
:-)
--majickmann

Thanks Majickmann for taking the time to provide all the additional info. I don't have reason to believe I have a problem - it's just something I've wondered about. I don't have a router, however, and your analogy to a PO box number makes it sound like it would be a positive security addition to a computer setup.

Juneroses

Hi, Juneroses...

You are very welcome. Adding a router would be another wall between you and potential intruders.

Should you decide to add a router, I can tell you that all of the brands provide good documentation on set up and explanations of terms used.

I lean towards Linksys, but also own routers from other major network equipment companies, such as Buffalo, D-Link, Netgear, Belkin, and AirLink. As with anything, there are some pro's and con's, but basically, all are equal.

Well, except for the AirLink because it is not wireless certified. But, I've not had any problems in 3 years. Today's AirLink wireless routers may be certified now. :-)

Hope this has been helpful, too...

Have fun...
:-)
--majickmann