>Mike,
>>>You might consider locking down the machines that your daughters use.
>>>
>>>Naw, the Mac wasn't infected because viruses aren't usually cross-platform. If Macs were as prevalent as Windows machines, you would be hearing the same thing about them.
>>
>>They are locked down now and will remain that way until I get the two main computers straightened out. Then the plan is to back up what needs to be saved (downloaded music and pictures from their digital cameras mostly) and reformat both drives. What fun....
>
>I am mostly with the other Mike on "safety" of other platforms: the number of reachable targets is a large factor of the risk. While OSX fared better the XP, Leopard seems to have some trouble programmed for it. And if the number of targets is juicy someone will make a stronger effort and find a leak even in a more robust system.
>
>Currently I employ very draconian safety: sneaker net only for the kid's machines (usually something gets copied to those machines) and Internet only with a grown up watching and on a specific net-connected machine running knoppix. But that will change in the next years - so I am thinking of splitting off at least one secure subnet and/or employing virtual linux machines for browsing. Would be interested in your final layout and reasoning (and the ways to cope others have taken in similar position: Tracy, Al, Dragan, Jos - anybody else ?)
>
>Sometimes I loath the thought of things to come - Silverlight and the other attempts at Web3.0 will open the door for cross OS virus infection wider.

My environment is very simple - I'm the only user ;)

- no VMs (yet, but I'm thinking about it for Web/e-mail)
- all equipment in one room, absolutely no wireless. I really discourage it for anyone unless they really, really need it - wired is so much better
- no wireless keyboards or mice, either - only wired PS/2 allowed (no USB)
- backup to USB stick for stuff that changes multiple times/day e.g. VFP dev, important Word docs etc.
- daily backup of stuff that changes less often e.g. e-mail, to NTFS partition on external USB HD
- monthly images to Linux EXT3 partition on external USB HD using ntfsclone on Knoppix LiveCD, with copy burned to DVD-Rs with K3B and stored off-site