I just recently got this new software program called GFI Landguard Security Scanner. When you first look at it you may deem it a hacking tool because it scans ports of other people's IPs, but it is in fact a very useful tool to help your friends out because it reveals if your friends have any bio ports open and also tells you if you have any security alerts. The interface on this program is abover average and has gotten a 100% rating on downloads.com

I use windows 98se still and I was fortunate enough to know how to plug my bio ports 135 137 and 139 etc etc. so this tool has helped me and my friends tremendously. here is the link.
http://download.com.com/3000-2092-10...ml?tag=lst-0-1

there is also another program called super scanner which allows you to scan you own ports and see which ports are open at any various time. here is the link for this http://www.isa-llc.com/downloads/sscanner.php

most advance users already know about this stuff, but for beginners i would think these programs should be a useful tool to have. heres more info on how to plug ur bio ports. http://home.okstate.edu/homepages.nsf/toc/port139 (a lot of XP users have asked me how to plug their bio ports and unfortunately i do not know what to tell them as XP has a different method)