Hi all I'm new in computing! is there away i can stop people tapping in to my computer or is there a way i can block my IP adress so no one knows it? thanks alot
The short answer is basically no. You can hide behind firewalls and routers to stop would be hackers from getting hold of you sure...but a good hacker (so to speak) will get there in the end. Use a good antivirus software, use a good firewall (better than the bog standard windows variety please). Click on the DOWNLOADS tab at the top of the page and look for some suggestions on security and such. This aD link gets a little off the beaten track, but might answer some of your concerns. http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/716687 Cheers.
You could try a proxy server. I don't personally trust them but here's a link for your research: http://whatismyipaddress.com/staticpages/index.php/how-do-I-use-a-proxy-server
You can also try spoofing your IP address (pretty much the same thing as going through a proxy) and spoofing your MAC address. Good computing practice is to disconnect from the net when you're not using the PC or shut it off even.
A proxy is a good way to do it, but its pretty much pointless to try. Anyone who wants to get into your computer will. Chances of someone going through that bother to get into a home PC is very slim. Use a decent anti virus and firewall. As someone else said in regards to proxy, this will work. But this will seriously reduce your internet speed if you are using a public proxy.