I saw that link a while back on Slashdot, if I remember right. Still sounds like a nightmare, just like it did when I first read it. Any WinXP install I've performed since last September has been done disconnected from the web, and patched via CD. Not exactly something I'd expect the average Windows user to do.

I'm downloading the Mandrake 10 iso's right now... assuming he manages the install well, and is happy, I'll probably pick up the retail version for myself, in case anybody else comes along. I'm still happy with Gentoo myself, but it'll be nice if anybody else wants to "convert."

and this is why i have never updated from windows 98. That and I also run behind a router/hub DSL modem with a built in firewall and have all ports closed except those that i specifically opened myself.

My PC is running Windows XP HomeEdition on a wireless DSL connection and has my father's iMac Firewall, the external firewall, and as a last ditch defense, McAfee Virus software's firewall...

I don't think I've ever gotten any viruses across the wireless, going to my Mac or to my PC. :D

Windows XP Pro with auto update for Windows and Norton AntiVirus (with autoprotect), as well as Spybot and Adaware, with Firefox as the normal browser and Thunderbird as the default mail client, completely behind a NAT firewall (except for a few forwarded ports). Not *the* most secure, but I'll definitely notice if something's wrong, and it's secure enough to keep out the script kiddies.

Mine is configured where it first passes through my father's external firewall, then my father's mac's builtin firewall, then my mac's firewall, then through Norton Firewall and onto the PC

For my mac, just cut out the Norton step at the end.

All the programs are kept upto date (they check for updates every 4 hours or 6 times daily) and auto update and patch themeselves as the software comes out.

Windows XP, no firewalls. No Virus Scanners... just AdAware, SpyBot, and Webroot Spy Sweeper. Although my Router uses NAT, I use DMZ on my main computer (completely exposing it...). I update Windows about 3 days after a new update comes out.

Not very safe, but nothing too major has hit.. my computer only had 1 virus in it so far (I run an online scanner monthy), and it came from my friend's CD. It also suffered from a very corrupted Critcal Update from windows update which caused me to reformat my computer :S.

I use IE daily. I just don't surf the web too much.