Thanks for your reply X. I was actually able to verify what you suggested using a plugin for Firefox called Web Developer. Someone suggested it to me to help diagnose a CSS (new to that too) problem on a Joomla extranet I'm working on.

It has a lot of tools and I tried to use its form tools to look and see that in fact the login part of the form is going to an https: site. If anyone is interested in trying it, the bank site is www.wachovia.com as mentioned above.

Another item we're trying is a third party VPN product from Jwire.com called Hotspot Helper . A coworker has subscribed to it and at 24.00/yr seems very reasonable. He's suppose to let me know if it pops a Vista gasket or anything - but so far, so good. If it works well it could make up for some sloppy housekeeping on an individual's box. The reality is that a few of us are tech challenged and will probably never get the whole picture.

http://www.jiwire.com/hotspot-helper.htm

What all of you have mentioned however is probably the biggest issue by far and that is whether or not each individual knows how to lock down his computer (physically and electronically) and is doing it. I'm finding out they don't, and don't know how. No doubt we've been lucky.

Thanks again everyone for all of the advice and tool suggestions. This forum is certainly a "cut above".

PapaDerf