Why pay for protecting your computer when you can do it for free? I will list products that I use, and I am satisfied with.
Ad Aware SE Personal Edition is a free for personal use spy-ware scanner. This functions similar to the scanning engine included with your AV program. I I recommend activating the "Full System Scan" option prior to scanning, and remember to update regularly to the latest database. Updates are included for absolutely free, and the scanning method performs very well finding spyware/malware/adware related files. A scan usually takes less than 20 minutes on my system (AMD XP 2400+, 1280MB RAM). For more functionality, I advise you install the extensions that are available for it on LavaSoft's website.
AntiVir Personal Edition is a free for personal use anti-virus solution that detects over 80,000 different viruses. This also features a resident virus shield that is capable of scanning files for viruses as you open or download them. Heuristic analysis is also a core feature allowing you detection of suspected files without an exact signature match. Support is also available via the support forum. I have been using this anti virus scanner for 12 months now, and I have not had an infection since using this. Updates are included for free.
Spybot Search & Destroy is a completely free spyware/malware/adware on-demand scanner, as well as a preventative blocker. With the capability to recognize over 20,900 known malicious products, it is a very through programing. I have found that this program is very effective at removing registry entries associated with spyware entries on your system, while it somewhat lacks as far as file detection is concerned. I recommend that you update to the latest build and reference file for maximum protection. I also advise that you enable the "immunize" function to protect you from infection by preemptively blocking infestations before they occur. Activating TeaTimer is also recommended to notify you if an unauthorized change occurs to your registry. Activating the "Immunize" setting will protect you from over 2500 known bad files.
SpywareBlaster is completely free, and is a preemptive blocker for known bad files. It works very similar to the "scan on demand" capability of your anti virus program. This prevents known bad objects from even installing on your system, and prevents tracking cookies from being copied to your computer. This also locks down potentially harmful sites on both IE and FireFox. This product protects against over 3200 known harmful files.
SpywareGuard is a completely free browser hijack prevention tool. This product prevents unauthorized BHOs, (Browser Helper Objects), as well as prevents downloading of known spyware files. I would consider this a necessary compliment to SpywareBlaster.
[url=http://www.webmasterfree.com/tpfw.html]Tiny Personal Firewall 2.0.15b is the last version of TPFW that is free for home usage. The newest version is 5.0, and retails for $49.95. The compile date of version 2.0.15b is 10/22/2001, but even though this is a three year old program, I have found it to be a very effective personal firewall. This is very configurable, allowing you to block off specific IP addresses, IP ranges, programs, ports, port ranges, log attempted connections, resolve IP, and the rule set is very customizable. This is very specific.
If a rule has not been created, it will deny a connection until you have created a rule regarding the program or service attempting to access the internet. This not only blocks inbound traffic, but also outbound traffic. TPFW is very setting specific, and will take a while to configure it optimum to your network usage. I would not recommend this for you if you do not know much about configuring a firewall, if you simply allow everything to connect without regard to the port, or the service being attempting to be connected, you could seriously compromise your security, and you will be as open as you would if you had no firewall. Likewise, if you lock all ports, and prohibit all traffic, it will be just as if you are not connected to the internet. You must know what to allow, and what to block if you intend to install this firewall.
If you install and utilize these programs to their fullest capabilities, you will have very little to worry about as far as infections from viruses and spyware/malware/adware are concerned. As usual, I recommend updating your signature files at least weekly, and running a scan at least every week. Also, upgrade to XP SP2 if you have not yet done so. The pop-up blocker included with IE, more secure ActiveX, DirectX 9.0c, updated WHQL certified drivers (if slipstreamed into the installation media), and data execution protection make the update worth it. WUv5 also has a much smoother appearance than v4.[/url]
Here Lies the United States Of America.
July 04, 1776 - June 23 2005
Epitaph: "The Experiment Is Over."
Rest In Peace.
Eminent Domain Was The Murderer.