Attacks on personal computers from the Internet happen many times a minute, and there is no way we can document and defend against everything.  On this page are links to some websites that do try to monitor all threats, as well as links to some of the bigger (as "in the news") threats.

The main vector for Internet Crap is still email attachments.  People still will open executable programs attached to emails is the message or subject line gets past their stupidity and curiosity.  

The other usual attack vectors are visiting an infected webpage and 'drive-by-downloads.' Visiting an infected webpage can cause an malware installation through flaws in the browser and Windows OS.  The drive-by-download occurs when people get a broadband modem without using a router/firewall to hide them from the outside world.  If their network address is open and unprotected, malware writers can force certain downloads at their PC without the user being aware that they have just been attacked.

Monitoring websites:

Internet Storm Center - The site looks like a stock ticker combined with a weather map, but what you're viewing is attack trends from over 3 million intrusion detection log entries from across the Internet every day. You can read about emerging threats (and their TCP port numbers, so you know how to block them) and top source IP addresses for originating attacks.

Malware Online Encyclopedia - Bazooka's online encyclopedia includes descriptions of software components, web sites and companies related to bundling, advertising, changing browser settings, email-marketing, etc. The encyclopedia also list a few articles and definitions for commonly used terms such as adware, spyware, bundled software, etc.

In the News Threats:

Eurpopean Storm Email, Small.DAM trojan