3142,
When you use the telephone on the line your modem is connected to, do you hear and static? That is one cause of slow connections speeds.
56k V.90 Modems max download is 56k and max upload is 33.6k
56k V.92 Modems max downalod is 56k and max upload is 56k
That is under ideal conditions, we know in the real world, nothing is ever ideal.
If you are worried about a virus, try:
Trend Micro's HouseCall Browser Based Anti Virus
Take Care,
Richard