I just got a new laptop and I am not really sure what it has as far as virus protection or anything. Can anyone recommend websites where I can dowload some protection for free??

I'm just getting the hang of this thing and I like it! :D I'd hate to see it get fried like my last computer!!!

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

AVG is GREAT! :)

Download and use Mozilla as your web browser. That is the #1 thing you can do to limit/avoid spyware. Well, that and not clicking attachments.

http://www.mozilla.org/about/

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

AVG is GREAT! :)
Yep... that one is really good.

And I also second using Firefox/Mozilla as your default browser. Or if you don't like Firefox, use Netscape or Opera..... anything but IE. There are too many security holes in IE.

We use AdAware and Spybot to scan for Spyware. They're both free programs and work really well.

much love
-Lindsey

I agree with all of the above. In the past I've used AdAware, AVG Antivirus, and also Spybot Search & Destroy.

Also, I heartily suggest Mozilla Firefox, using IE is asking for spyware. Even after you download Firefox, you need to go into IE and set the Internet Zone to "High Security" and disable Active X. Even though you don't actively USE IE, it can still be a security risk... malicious code can make IE work for it. Now there may be some sites like banking sites that need active x, and you'll need to switch to IE for those sites, you can approve them for Active X in IE (trusted zone), while still having all other sites blocked. Another small tidbit... anyone using AOL is actually using IE under the AOL interface and should take measures accordingly.

We use AdAware and Spybot to scan for Spyware. They're both free programs and work really well.

much love
-Lindsey

ditto

Thanks for the suggestions, I will check those out!

Does anyone recommend Open Office? My sister suggested it might be good to download because this computer only has Wordpad on it.

But, when I went to download it, it said it would take 10 hours?? :eek: And I have high-spped dial up, which seems lightning fast to me. Would it really take 10 hours to download?

We use AdAware and Spybot to scan for Spyware. They're both free programs and work really well.

much love
-Lindsey


I use both of these as well.