thnx for the info guys. I've never heard of PAT b4 but I've got a netgear router it does NAT. (and SPI) I have a very limited knowledge of these and will learn more as I get younger. One of the reasons for my home network is to learn more about networks etc, and then linux found its way in here, and if I had room, another couple of boxes running other UNIXes. LOL.
I am considering 'breaking' into the IT sector, my current employment is totally unrelated, and thinking about some courses but not MSCE.......yet.

And let me get this straight. If my router doesn't allow a connection into my network(all ports blocked) a real hacker could still get into my network?
I'm reading some of the logs and one eg. is,

Fri, 2003-08-22 23:50:26 - ICMP packet - Source:elite.haxor.on.net ,[Echo Request],WAN - Destination:my.maybe.vuln.net,LAN [Drop] - [Inbound Default rule match]
how does a hacker get into my system? more importantly how can I stop him.

I try to take care in my network against script kiddies more than the elite types, because I'm thinking hackers/crackers (whatever) will go for big fish types instead of the nobody's like me (I keep no sensitive data on the computer, only on removable media like floppies or cdrw at the moment). So I've got to stop them scanning me? I think I'm going to buy this "hacking exposed" book!!

I need more info.