[Buff]

Originally Posted by llama64

As has already been said:

AVG: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download.../frt/0?prd=aff
Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
FireFox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

I recommend Peer Guardian. It actively blocks communication with a routinely updated list. Alternatively, checkout http://www.opendns.com/ You replace your DNS servers with theirs which block communication with known malicious websites. Plus, if you sign up for an account, it can provide network filtering outside of programs like NetNanny.

You shouldn't need an extra firewall program like ZoneAlarm unless you want more control over your ports on your PC. Just ensure the Windows Firewall is turned on and if you have cable internet, put a hardware firewall in-between the modem and any PC connected to it.

I used to be a huge mark for Ad-aware but it isn't as good as it once was. I think SpyBot has surpassed it.

In my environment where I work we don't bother with spyware tools. We run anti-virus but thats it(and even contemplated not using antivirus on a certain sector of our computers).

If we have a problem then we'll re-stage the computer. Much easier than running scans and cleaning infections. We also have a sector of PCs that have DeepFreeze installed on them. Something going haywire? Reboot the PC... even easier than re-staging.