[jg_rat]

you can get firewalls and virus checkers for free? Kerio's free firewall (despite a recent scare about it closing) will still be available, and AVG virus checker is still free.

[Glenn_11]

I've stopped updating my McAfee Anti-Virus.If you are cheap (like me) there is a good anti-virusprogram called AVG from Grisoft that is free forpersonal use.You can download it here (link near bottom of page):http://free.grisoft.com/freewe...Before you install this program be sure to UNINSTALLany other anti-virus program that you currently haveinstalled. Anti-virus programs don't play welltogether so you should have only one anti-virusprogram installed at any given time.Zone Alarm is a FREE firewall program that provides good protection. You can download it here:http://www.zonelabs.com/store/...When you install Zone Alarm you will be prompted tochoose the free trial to Zone Alarm Pro or just ZoneAlarm, choose the Zone Alarm (just the firewall)because it's free. Zone Alarm monitors incoming andoutgoing transmissions. It will take a little effortto get the settings up and running but it's easy andworth the time.Along with scanning for viruses stopping spyware is important too. There are 3 good FREE programs that are effective at dealing with spyware, Ad-aware SE Personal 1.05 (removes spyware), Spybot Search & Destroy (blocks and removes spyware), Spyware Blaster 3.2 (blocks spyware). I have all 3 of these programs installed on my PC and they work well together without any conflicts. After these programs are installed they need to be updated on a regular basis to be effective. These programs will have to be manually updated.You can download Ad-aware SE Personal 1.05 here (click on "Download Now" near top left of page):http://www.download.com/Ad-Awa...Ad-aware SE Personal 1.05 will scan your PC andidentify spyware that should be removed. Ad-awaredefinition files are updated about once a week.Spybot Search and Destroy can be downloaded here:http://www.safer- etworking.org/en/mirrors/index...Spybot Search and Destroy will "Check for Problems"(scan) your PC for spyware that should be removed.Be sure to use the "Immunize" feature that blocksknown spyware from getting onto your PC. SpybotSearch and Destroy detection files are updated aboutonce a month.After you update Spybot Search and Destroy each month be sure to "immunize" your PC so that the updated spyware threats will be blocked.Spyware Blaster 3.2 can be downloaded here:http://www.javacoolsoftware.co...After the program is installed be sure to click on"Enable All Protection" so the program blocks spyware.Detection files are updated about once a month. After updates are installed each month be sure to click on "Enable All Protection" again so the updated detection files are applied.You may also want to use Mozilla Firefox 1.07 as yourprimary web browser. Firefox is an excellent program,and I have been using it for several months now.Firefox has fewer security flaws than InternetExplorer. You will still need to use InternetExplorer to download Microsoft updates.You can download Firefox here:http://www.mozilla.org/product...Be sure you have all the critical updates fromMicrosoft for Windows and Internet Explorer.Open Internet Explorer, click on "Tools" and select"Windows Update".

[IH8JuJu]

I think McAfee is worth it.