Test your internet IQ: Top seven security myths (page 2 of 2)

And even if your ISP does provide a certain amount of protection, you should still install good antivirus software on your own computer.

Why? When you're online you're vulnerable to downloaded viruses, because your ISP probably screens email only. That doesn't protect you from a virus you may download inadvertently yourself.

6. I'm using dial-up, so I don't need to worry about hackers.
It's true that broadband users are more vulnerable to attack. A high-speed (broadband) connection means you have a static Internet Protocol (IP) address, so once hackers know where to find you, they can come back. They know where you live.

With a much slower, dial-up access, your IP address is changing all the time. This random access address allows dial-up users to enjoy a false sense of security, but that doesn't mean hackers can't find you anyway.

And if you have a dial-up connection, a hacker who does break into your system could install a back-door Trojan Horse, which lets the hacker see you each time you log in. The Trojan flashes a beacon that says, "Hey I'm here, come and get me"- so they know you're online and vulnerable. It's also possible to pick up a Trojan Horse through an email virus, or you might download it in an infected Internet file. If you've picked up a Trojan Horse, it doesn't matter whether your connection is broadband or dial-up.

7. I have a Macintosh
Mac users often feel safe because most viruses are designed for Windows-based platforms. But to a hacker it doesn't matter. A computer is a computer. They don't care what platform you're using, they just look for open ports.

Many Mac-specific hacking tools are readily available on the Internet. Also, the new OS X is Unix-based. Unix computers have been around for so long that many of the hacking tools available to Unix users are now applicable to Macintosh.

Protect yourself
Be smart. Install an antivirus program like Symantec's Norton AntiVirus™ to safeguard your computer from virus attacks and to be sure you don't download a Trojan Horse or other "back-door" program. It's also important that you keep your virus definitions up-to-date.

Norton AntiVirus does this for you automatically, so your protection stays current. And use a firewall program such as Symantec Norton™ Personal Firewall. It protects you from hackers trying to scan your personal files, steal data, or damage your system. Norton Personal Firewall, Norton AntiVirus, and other essential online protection tools are available together in Norton Internet Security™.