[SlowToady]

Not really. But, operating under a user/group with just enough permissions to do what you need to do helps, as does running applications with the minimum permissions possible. It's a hassle, but it's worth it. Run a Stateful Packet Inspection firewall, and a good virus scanner. Turn the security zone in IE up; don't allow unsigned scripts/ActiveX controls, and turn on the pop up blocker. I run an Instrusion Detection System system on one of my boxes.

Oh yea, keep up on Service Packs and software updates.

You can actually lock down the NT series (which includes XP and 2000) really well, you just have to take the time to do it and dig around. NT has possibly the most finely granulated Access Controls outside of OpenVMS.

There are all sorts of ways for skilled (and determined) crackers to gain access to your machine, and it seems like they are always one step ahead of the rest of us.

If you do any sort of sensitive work on your computer, you owe it to yourself to secure your system. It's a hassle, but it's more of a hassle once someone gets access to your TurboTax files and credit card information.