Anti-Virus Software

[Acleron]

According to PC Magazine, the 2009 version is the lightest on resources out of all of the new versions tested and installs in less than a minute. I can vouch for the installation part...it was swift and painless. Got it installed in no time on my machine as well as my two roomates' (it's a 3-user license). I spose it just doesn't work well with certain machines.

A friend swears by it and claims that he also has never had a problem. However I have seen PCs slowed to near uselessness and locked up machines. These have ranged from brand new Dell's with Vista to 7 year old machines running with Win2000. So, you are probably correct, it depends on which machine and configuration. I feel that Symantec doesn't do sufficient testing.

 

[ohms]

All good advice but I would make one amendment:

2. Run Firefox with the NoScript add-on installed. (I understand that MS IE is now much better than it used to be.

 

[six7s]

I agree with the recommendation for NoScript, for newbies too as, sorta like putting on a safety helmet, it can serve as a constant yet not-obtrusive reminder that there is always the potential for something to go 'wrogn'