Microsoft .NET Framework

Hi guys,

I have never installed the Microsoft NET 1.1 framework from Windows Update. It seems like I read advice a long time ago not to install it, because it opens your computer up to security breaches.

Is this accurate, or am I missing out on some functionality by not having this Windows component installed? Should I go ahead and update my machine with it?

And a general security question:

How secure is my computer just sitting behind a Linksys router with a NAT firewall? My free subscription to Norton Internet Security just expired and I uninstalled it. I never had a single alert with it installed anyway.

Thanks,
John

Certain programs require the .Net framework--AFAIK these are SQL and MS web development applications. I've never installed it and I've never had a problem because of that.

As for the router with NAT firewall, I'd think that would be pretty secure as long as the router has a good secure password, but you'd probably best wait forl one of the true security experts to weigh in on this one. :D