help please

[msfrigyfrog]

i am trying to help my mom set up a new pc its running windows xp home edition and i know there are free antivirus/spyware blockers/popup blockers out there but i dont know what they are or whats a good one any suggestions???? thanks in advance

[Dave]

1) AVG (http://www.grisoft.com/doc/10/lng/us/tpl/tpl01) and Avast (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html) for anti-virus and email checkers.

2) Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html) and Ad-Aware SE Personal (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/) for bug squishing.

3) Black Ice (http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_MAIN.Entry10?V1=253470&PN=1&SP=10023&xid=26412&CID=0&DSP=&CUR=840&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=0) firewall (Windows XP has one built in of sorts)

4) Use Google Mail which has good spam filters, just tell her don't give out your e-mail address all over the place or any personal information. If she plans on doing any buying show her what a secure site looks like (the 128 bit encryption stuff for CC payments)

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY Do not use Internet Explorer. Install Mozilla Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/central/) which takes care of a lot of problems straight away.

Jolt says "You should have bought a Mac!" :)

[msfrigyfrog]

i had a mac and ditched it thank you very much lol didnt understand a thing about it thanks for the sites i knew they were there but didint remember exactly which ones were good thanks guys as always you have been a big help