Most users wish to surf the internet and this requires that security software is installed, there are many products offered at varying prices, but unless your Internet Service Provider or Internet Bank offer free software would not be lured by the power of advertising.

Please note that Microsoft are currently rolling out Office Genuine Advantage to check validity of your Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher etal.  If you have a Pirated copy installed would advise to uninstall and install the Freeware Open Office which has good compatibility with Office 2003 and earlier versions:

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx

Wherever feasible I install the following Windows XP and Vista compatable freeware software which are all highly recommended.  Only the software marked * is compatible with Windows 7:

Internet Explorer Web Browser version 8  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/worldwide-sites.aspx

 

*MS Security Essentials  http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/default.aspx

 

*AVG Free AntiVirus  http://free.avg.com/us-en/download?prd=afe

 

*Avast Home Edition Anti-Virus  http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

 

*Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Scanner  http://www.malwarebytes.org

 

*Microsoft On-line Safety Scanner  http://safety.live.com/site/en-gb/default.htm

 

Email SpamFighter (Outlook 2003/2007, Outlook Express6 and Windows Mail) http://www.spamfighter.com

 

*VLC DVD Player  http://www.videolan.org

 

Open Ofice Office Suite http://www.openoffice.org

 

Windows Vista includes Windows Mail, Movie Maker and Photo Gallery but Windows 7 has none of these programs, they have been replaced by Live Mail, Live Movie Maker and Live Photo Gallery available via Live Essentials and are also available for Vista:

http://download.live.com/