Stilly -

The LinkSys and Netgear components probably are behind your firewall and shouldn't be overly vulnerable, and I haven't heard of any exploits via simple etherlink cards/hubs; but an occasional check with the makers on any component of the system may find updated firmware that either closes a vulnerability or improves performance.

With ethernet cards, there have been some PlugNPlay updates that provide better setup, particularly if you should happen to add another computer with a very similar card, or have two of the same kind in one computer. Improved ID resolves conflicts. A couple of specific 3Com cards had a problem where two cards of the same type would sometimes "argue" about their identities; but I think it's been resolved for newer components, and there was a fix via firmware.

Even things like CD and DVD burners should be checked occasionally. If you have a DVD burner more than about 4 or 5 years old, there have been changes to the disk standard that may require firmware updates when you get a package of new blanks to the "improved" standard. (For this one, the burn "stalls" at about the same place on each attempt, usually around 600 MB or so.)

Better to check "when you have the time" than to make a stack of coasters trying to figure out what happened.

Remember that the OEM pipeline means that your "new" computer probably contains at least some components a couple of years (or more) old when you get it, so part of the first-time setup really should be a visit to an appropriate website for each significant component and/or program to see if there are updates. People often check for software updates, but forget that many hardware components can also be updated via firmware.

John