Cable Networks and the Internet In most cases, cable or DSL companies like Comcast or DirectPC are just one type of Internet connection company. But sometimes companies acquire these one-connection companies to make their companies bigger and better, like AOL buying Time Warner. As these companies get larger and start offering more types of connections, they also start to have more security conflicts. AOL dial-up software has a built-in firewall, the firewall protects users from hackers and running unwanted programs. And the software works almost perfectly to keep unwanted people or programs away, but the only problem is that you have to use their software. Road Runner, now part of AOL, is a cable company that provides only high-speed Internet access, not full security. This issue leaves open to hackers who randomly attack Internet-connected PCs with "pings" or "port scans," trying to find unprotected PCs. Once found, a hacker can compromise your PC with a dangerous Internet threat such as a Trojan horse, spyware, or even a malicious worm (Zone Labs). Since AOL does not provide any type of firewall or hacker protection while you have a cable connection with them they suggest some type of firewall software to purchase. For individual end users they suggest using firewall software like Norton's Personal Firewall, which costs about $49.95, or NetBarrier 2.0 if you have a Macintosh. Both of these software packages include basic functionality for an individual end user, such as the ability to delete cookies and the ability to set filters or rules on a computer. For network users AOL suggests using firewall software like ZoneAlarm Pro 3.0 which costs $49.95 for a per-user license and goes from there. ZoneAlarm Pro 3.0 not only provides cookie and pop-up ad control, but also provides email protection and can suspend 46 different file types. Unlike other personal firewalls, ZoneAlarm Pro includes Program Control to protect against known and unknown threats. With ZoneAlarm Pro, you can control the ability to specify which programs are trusted to access the Internet, monitoring all outgoing traffic. You can also lock and make your computer invisible on the Internet: "if you can't be seen, you can't be hacked" (Zone Labs). Another type of software that suggest... middle of paper... cases like you have nothing on your system now, but the only sure way to know that your computer will be safe from hackers, when you are online or work on your computer at home means turning it off once you're done. Works Cited Cable Modem and Mac Security Information. SercureMac.com28 April 2002 Connections and Protections. SercureMac.comApril 28, 2002 The current version of VisNetic Firewall is 1.03. C&C Software.April 27, 2002 How to make an open network reliable. SyGate.comApril 27, 2002 Macintosh OS X Operating System Security. SercureMac.comApril 28, 2002 Macintosh OS Zone Labs28 April 2002>