FWIW, DW, I took the plunge into broadband just a couple of weeks ago.
It was completely painless and easy to set up. Cos the PC is used by the whole family though, I am concerned that running several free security softwares for various functions (e.g. AVG, Zonealarm Firewall, Spybot and AdAware) separately, although free, there's always the need to manually update them. I don't want to be nannying the others about it so i'd prefer a 'fit and forget' solution.
As I only got a basic USB modem with my package, I know I need a very good software firewall at the least.
I'm free-trialling Zone Alarm Suite at the mo. It appears to work seamlessly in the background and doesn't noticeably slow down anything else. I think I'll going to upgrade for subscription which will enable fully automated updating
As for Norton Internet Security :evil: , even though it was a half-price offer, I was so p****d off. I did manage to get a refund on it though.
I'm astonished how much stuff (just annoying or highly dangerous I don't care) it's fending off every minute!.
The speed was advertised at 2Mb, and it delivers 1.9Mb 95% of the time - absolutely brilliant!
PS, if you do go for it, make sure all your security software is installed and running BEFORE you connect the modem. A friend of mine for whatever reason didn't and the computer lasted just 60 seconds before it was killed dead in it's tracks by a boot sector virus. Fortunately, he's had the tools and knowhow to resurrect it. Still, he thinks it must be close to a record!
cheers,
Ike