I get lots of questions about Spyware, Viruses, 'Hackers' and Windows Security. The quick answer is: Windows (any version) is NOT SAFE as you get it. You should take half an hour out of your day to download and install these free programs. Keep them updated (they will all remind you) and you need never worry about your PC again.

This is what you need, in the order you should install it. This applies to Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP.

1. Firewall: Free version of ZoneAlarm, free download from http://www.zonelabs.com (5.5Mb)
Click Home/Office on the left, then 'Free ZoneAlarm' at the bottom right.

2. Windows Updates: Free download from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (around 300Mb) or order a free CD from http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp

3. Antivirus: AVG Antivirus, free download from http://free.grisoft.com (12Mb)

4. Secure Browser: Mozilla Firefox, free download from http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/ (4.7Mb)

5. Secure Email Client: Mozilla Thunderbird, free download from http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/ (5.9Mb)

6. Anti-Spyware: Ad-Aware SE (free version), free download from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ (2.7Mb) AND SpyBot, free download from http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/ (4.9Mb).
To prevent future infections, always use a better browser and email client such as Firefox and Thunderbird instead of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.

For the best security, you should keep all of the above programs regularly updated.

Please pass this on to anyone else!!