>>   And more wondering: Why do people use Windows without a firewall 
>> software?
> 
> NAT tends to do a really good job here too.

Yeah, that too.

Just being behind a NAT device means that random people in the Internet 
can't just connect to your PC and start frobbing random ports which host 
insecure services. [Insert comment about the number of services M$ has 
enabled by default when Windoze installs.]

That's not to say there is no place for antivirus and/or personal 
firewalls though! We still have spam email containing malware, and 
websites using browser bugs to install dodgy stuff...

> Sadly, there are so many programs that connect out without telling the 
> user they'll be doing so, it's another case of yes/no overload, methinks.

Well sadly yes. OTOH, many personal firewalls seem to have a list of 
"trusted" applications that they don't prompt for. Who compiles this 
list and how the product decides whether a given item is on that list is 
another matter. (I really hope it isn't just by process image name...!)

-- 
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*

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