I'll admit, I've been living in the dark ages up to this point. No on-line bill paying, no on-line shopping, no TV-watching on the computer, no music downloads etc. But I realize the world is moving forward, and I'm going to have to adapt (the precipitating event leading to this realization was the receipt of my first-ever online bill from my cell phone carrier).

The few transactions I've had to do online thus far I've done from work. Since I work in a hospital, the networks are very highly secure (to be in compliance with HIPAA regulations). But I can see that I'm headed towards having to do more online, and will have to do some of it from home. So I have some questions about ensuring internet security. (My computer was set up for me by the IT guy at my previous job, which is why I don't have all the details).

1) I'm running a Mac, which appears to be Version 10.5.8 (found the info under "about this Mac"). I believe it is running the firewall that comes with the computer.

a) How/ where do I check whether, and what kind of, firewall it's running?

b) What kind of firewall do I need to have? All my coworkers tell me "Macs don't get viruses, so no need to do anything;" but I find it hard to believe Macs are magically immune, and that with so many zillions of people using them, that they're not an attractive target.

2) How do I do a virus scan on a Mac? When I had a PC, I had AVG anti-virus. It updated itself and did a full scan every day. Is there a Mac equivalent? Or is it unnecessary because "Macs don't get viruses?" I don't think the computer has any viruses (everything is running smoothly without a decrease in speed), but I'd like to know for sure.

3) On-line bill paying: I'm happy that that's cutting down on paper usage, but now I'm faced with the problem of sending my account info securely.
I have DSL internet from Verizon at home, it's WEP key- protected and runs wirelessly. My fiance advised turning off the wireless and hard-wiring it to the modem with an ethernet cable when transmitting secure info. Is this sufficient?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but would appreciate it if anyone has any insight into these meanwhile.

3) On-line bill paying: I'm happy that that's cutting down on paper usage, but now I'm faced with the problem of sending my account info securely.
I have DSL internet from Verizon at home, it's WEP key- protected and runs wirelessly. My fiance advised turning off the wireless and hard-wiring it to the modem with an ethernet cable when transmitting secure info. Is this sufficient?

No need for all that. You're fine on the wireless.

If your Internet connection is WEP key (or WPA key) protected and if you keep current with your firewall and virus protection software (Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, etc.) that should be enough. I assume that you also don't do stupid things like clicking links or attachments in unsolicited emails or download tempting but unknown software programs you find online.

Now, there is such a thing as keystroke logging which is a means of capturing the keystrokes you are doing on your keyboard including, of course, such data as your WEP key and your bank password. It is possible to do this by many means including capturing electromagnetic signals. In other words, somebody sitting in a car outside your house could do this if they had the right equipment! It can be done whether you are hard wired or connected wirelessly. It might be easier if you are connecting wirelessly which may be why your fiance suggested a wired connection.

Unless you are extremely affluent or important or have rich or influential friends, a career criminal (of the type who who invests in such equipment) will not bother with you. You are simply too small a fish. But it does pay to be cautious. For example, here in Colorado a small company which manages homeowners' associations was hacked by sophisticated means. The management company, itself, didn't make that much money and didn't think of itself as important. But it wasn't the utltimate target. It managed the HOAs of some very affluent mountain-resort communities and condominiums and had data on same. The HOAs' bank accounts were the target along with those of their residents -- very rich people -- plus the large companies the residents owned or worked for. With the data from the management company the thieves were able to access yet more computers which led to yet more and, in the long run, they got away with a lot of money.

It's the same principle as protecting your house from burglars. Somebody absolutely determined to break in could do it unless you deploy armed guards around the perimeter of your yard 24/7. But taking common-sense security measures is the best you can do. And hopefully a thief will skip your house in favor of an easier, less risky one where the owner has been careless.