Changed to Broadband

Though opinions vary, I agree with Dolf that there really isn't a big difference between dialup and broadband from a security standpoint. Yes, most people who want to exploit your system for there own uses usually prefer broadband systems more than dialup, but, until they test your system they may not know what connection speed you have.

Probes go out to all kinds of systems that are on the Internet. A dialup system with exploitable services or open shares will get taken over or infected just like broadband attached systems.

So, the best advice is to run no servers at all (web servers, ftp, file sharing utilities, etc.) If you don't need these things, then don't use them. You'll stay a lot safer that way.

In ZA, don't grant any programs server rights, and keep the security slider in the Firewall panel at High for the Internet Zone. In this way you are blocking all unsolicited connection attempts and presenting no exploitable processes to the net. (And, if you really aren't running any servers, go into the Firewall panel > Advanced button > check the "Block Internet Zone servers" box. This overrides individual permissions granted for server rights.)