"1. Port Scanners? I'm not 100% sure what their all about. I've been reading some stuff
on download.com scans a network for open ports and gives you the computers
workgruop name etc. Isn't that illigal?"

Port Scanning is not illegal there have been past cases where someone accidently
scanned a network or a server by mistake Vc3 vs Scott Moulton and the Judge threw
the case out. To use a port scanner you need your ISP's permisson and you need
tell them when your scanning and again you have to be very careful not to aim it at anyones network or system. Of course to discover a workgroup name or other information about a particular system portscanning isn't the only way suppose someone stupidly leaves fingerd enabled on his/her system? if a Hacker sends
a request for this information with his finger client the fingerd server will send
him/her back information about the shell, directories, office phone number,
user names not good.