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When I accessed poodletest.com using Firefox, I received the following warning from my antivirus suite:

“Address:
http://www.poodletest.com/

Trend Micro has confirmed that this website can transmit malicious software or has been involved in online scams or fraud.

Please close this page.” Is Susan Bradley aware of this? Is it truly a valid threat? What do you make of it?

Thanks, Doc, for your response. Surprisingly, the same Trend Micro failed to block the very same Flash Player install on my wife’s computer (XP Home, whereas mine is XP Pro). I hesitate to disable the AV for ANY download, especially one which is repeatedly blocked and eradicated. I am just wondering if anyone else has seen this particular scenario.

Thanks, will do.

Many thanks to both of you. You’ve answered my query and I really appreciate it! Probably saved me some cash as well! Happy new year and have a wonderful holiday!

Sorry, ruirib, I should have included that info. The router is a Linksys Wireless-B Broadband Router with 4 ports, Model number BEFW11S4 ver.4, supporting 10/100 as I understand it. The password is not the default, and we do not have a local network, preferring to transfer files via “sneakernet” (we’re paranoid; file sharing is de-activated). We simply access the internet (cable ISP) individually through ports on the router. Direct-wired is faster than wireless in this setting. But is it secure? We’ve never had a serious problem…yet. Would a more modern, advanced router provide any greater security considering that the computers do not utilize wireless for internet access?

Thank you ruirib. I guess what I want to know is if upgrading a router would provide superior security for hard-wired computers which access the internet. I have been told that it wouldn’t make any difference for our arrangement, but WOULD improve security for wireless networking, i.e. WPA-2. So if we are not going to use the wireless access, is there any point in upgrading? Also, would transmission speed be improved? It’s already fast enough to suit us. Thanks again.

The “little green beaker” is actually a little green flask. Interesting and useful article. Thanks.