Comment by AlexandrB
18 hours ago
Behind a NAT.
Can't remember a single problem with the described setup and I've been using the internet since dial-up was the only option available.
Getting hacked when you don't have any open ports (thanks to NAT) is and was pretty unlikely - what was more likely is some kind of drive-by exploit in Flash or IE. The biggest problem I experienced with old Windows was general instability in the form of BSODs and driver compatibility problems.
NAT has nothing to do with security and it was common that people had a single device on DSL or cable plugged directly into the modem; routers were not common place at home.
NAT was for fancy-pants with multiple PCs.