Thanks, Raven. I'm sure he's behind on lots of stuff. Early in 2009, I had him change his update settings to notify him of updates, but not automatically download. That was to hold off on sp1 (at a time when I think I read here that folks were having trouble with it - but I didn't follow that topic, so didn't realize sp1 had become a good idea and that sp2 followed). We also set it that way bc. his computer was automatically updating and then rebooting when he was in the middle of doing other things. So this was to allow him to time his own downloads and installations. But he just never thought of it - and I didn't think I needed to keep track for him. I do keep track of his Avast, superantispyware, malwarebyte and spywareblaster. Every now and then when he's done surfing I have him leave out the laptop and go ahead and update and scan. I'll have to keep track of more than that, obviously. I got foxit reader on my ancient laptop in my office and love it. It takes so little room and does what I need quickly. Do you like pdf-xchange viewer more than foxit reader? Or does he need to use firefox to use foxit reader? I installed firefox for him - and set up tabs with the places he likes to go (did that in the summer) - but he hasn't used it. He's a bit resistant to tech changes. He balked when I got Tivo's - although he loves it now. He's a musician - and I got him Protools so he could record the music he wrote. That was over 1 1/2 years ago - and he hasn't learned it yet - he's barely scratched the surface. Last spring he bought an Imac bc. it was better for recording music. And now he's finally setting up his den and equipment. I'm hoping he'll actually learn the software this year. I'll take care of the rest for him so the only learning curve he has is Protools (certainly the most challenging of them all). But I digress. I'll check his other updates and run Secunia - I'm pretty sure I already put that on his computer last year. Thanks. Lynn.

A simple message buried in an avalanche of unnecessary words. The heading is enough for direction - home WIFIs should have WPA2 enabled. On the other hand, little mischief is accomplished on the millions of unsecured signals that exist. Newer versions of Windows require password authentication anyway, so with that and a firewall, it's hard to imagine there's much risk of unwanted access. Paranoid souls always have the option to turn off their WIFI signal and simply use hardwire connections.

What brand/model laptop, what operating system

Great news! so simple when you know what to look for. I have posted the instructions in case another user has a similar issue. Windows 7 and Vista From the Start menu, select Control Panel, or Settings and then Control Panel.Double-click Network and Sharing Center. From the list of tasks on the left, click Change adapter settings (in Windows 7), or Manage network connections (in Vista). For a wired network connection, right-click Local Area Connection, and then select Properties. For a wireless network connection, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then select Properties. From the Networking tab, click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), make sure it is checked, and then click Properties. Click Obtain an IP Address Automatically, and then click OK. Windows XP From the Start menu, select Settings, and then Control Panel. Double-click Network Connections. For a wired network connection, right-click Local Area Connection, and then select Properties. For a wireless network connection, right-click Wireless Network Connection, and then select Properties. From the General tab, click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), make sure it is checked, and then click Properties. Click Obtain an IP Address Automatically, and then click OK. http://uits.iu.edu/page/aiyy