Okay, so I’ve got the older notebook that seriously needs some updated Anti-virus, spyware, and pop-up protection, etc. Having just lost my job, and since I’m not yet certain if I can get the LCD issue resolved, I’m looking to conserve funds and go with freeware. The notebook is running windows ME (oh joy) anyone have suggestions for some good programs?
TIA,
Loren
Here’s some recommendations from my own experience:
Antivirus: Antivir personal edition
http://www.free-av.com/
Adware / Malware: Adaware
http://www.lavasoft.com/
Firewall: Zonealarm
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp
To me the best pop-up blocker is not to need one: Firefox browser
http://www.mozilla.com/
Email client with built-in spam control:
http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/
Not directly related, but a great open source free recording studio:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
There are many many more, this is just the beginnings of a good list.
–James
In general I feel that “anti-virus” software is as invasive and destructive to your system as the malware they’re designed to prevent and don’t use it myself. But I have heard from a number of people that AVG by Grisoft is much less damaging to the performance and functionality of your system than disasters like McAfee/Norton.
Personally, I recommend using a good firewall, never opening email attachments from anyone, and never using Internet Explorer (use Firefox instead.
craig, there is anti-spyware that is just that, spyware it self, here is a good read which spyware you can trust:
I understand that, but I’m saying that supposedly well-respected AV software like Norton is in my experience a “cure” worse than the disease.
true…they don’t recommend norton either…
I agree with James
go with AntiVir, Firefox and thunderbird.
Second, you’ll be far better of running Win98 than ME. But I think you should really consider to setup Linux instead, if you have an old laptop.
You must be missing out on one of the main benefits of the internet Craig.
I can just see myself telling my boss that I from now on want all data delivered on printed virus free white paper and a secretary to type it in for me. 
I agree that Norton really sucks and I dont like the idea of having anti-Virus software running constantly in the background. I use Antivir to scan downloaded files before I open them and every once in a while scan my hard drives.
Cheers!
/MarcusR
HTML works just fine, can be emailed without needing to be attached, and is secure enough if you don’t use IE. There is no need to practice unsafe computing to send a simple document. The Internet still benefits me. 
If you know what you’re doing a few types of attachments are safe, but given that seemingly innocuous types like WMF pictures (again, if you use IE) and MS-Word documents can pose a threat to your computer, the general advice of don’t open attachments at all applies for most folks.
Every virus infection at my employer has come from email attachments. Every single one of them. And most of the people who got them use so-called “anti-virus” software.