Newbie Q: How do I set up ASP server and security?

[ahmun]

Hi all.

I'd like to get some feedback on where to start on this one:

I would like to set up an ASP server on my own computer. Since I'm connected to Cable Modem... I have relative fast speeds, and would like to set up a test environment (at the wonderful cost of free) for developing ASP pages.

Goal:
- A safe and secure ASP/Web server on my home computer (for acedemic purposes)

Can someone help me in finding out:
- Tools I might need
- Software I might need
- How do I protect my computer from hackers or whatnot
- what OS should I use (my current ones are XP and 2000)
- Sources of info to read up on to install.

Tools I already Have:
- Windows XP
- Windows 2000 (I have 2 systems)
Acedemic versions of:
- Visual Studio 2002
- Macromedia Dreamweaver 4.0
Earnie Eng - Newbie Access Programmer/DBA
If you are born once, you will die twice.
If you are born twice, you will die once

 

[ahmun]

One more thing:
I would also like to set up an ASP server that has the tools to modify/edit XML

I actually got a version of Visual Studio.net acedemic... Earnie Eng - Newbie Access Programmer/DBA
If you are born once, you will die twice.
If you are born twice, you will die once