Be sure to keep virus software updated. Set up a hardware or software firewall. Hardware firewalls offer the most protection but can be expensive for the home user. Many DSL modems will soon offer firewall protection. An alternative is a software firewall.
Most programs are available at a nominal cost, others are available for free.
Popular firewall programs include BlackIce Defender , ZoneAlarm , Norton Internet 2000 and McAfee 's VirusScan or Guard Dog. Configure IP routing. It is possible to configure IP routing so that you can set up a firewall system in an environment separate and isolated from operational networks and specify permitted connectivity while denying all other connectivity. Encryption software encodes data for sending then decodes it for reading. A VPN enables corporate users to establish secure tunnels between their homes and their corporate LANs.