The one thing I will comment on is if she has AVAST currently on the pc set up and running well and it is updating and taking care of business then I would leave it well enough alone. If she were to try to now install some other AV program then AVAST would have to be fully removed first not a task I think you would allow her to do on her own and there would be no need to undertake that if she has a good working AV. Plus if this is an older pc resources may already be stretched and limited and using a resource hungry AV like Norton will definitely stretch her resources much more and that is not a good thing. Free AV like AVAST and Microsoft Security Essentials are absolutely fine and are highly recommended. However a malware remover is a different program which is why I suggest using malwarebytes, superantispyware is also a fine malware remover both free. A good layered protection is the absolute best protection you can have. I am a comcast customer but don't use my comcast email account. Outlook express is no longer supported in newer versions of windows it is about to the end of it's life span and it is a good idea to go ahead and move on from it to something newer. There is a good comcast dedicated forum over at BBR this is the link there you can find comcast personnel there quite often. Comcast HSI I second what Owbist mentioned, using team viewer to access her pc from your home to work on it. It is simple to use and works well. TeamViewer

you can not schedule a scan with Avast like you do some other programs, but the easy way to have it scan is to set the screen saver scan, anytime the screen saver is on the scan starts, it stops when you move the mouse then restarts where it left off when the screen saver starts again, that is how I use mine, if you go to the Avast site there are 2 pdf guides that you should read on how to use Avast and set up your scans and also to choose to do the boot scan or not. Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Document How to Install, Configure, and Use Avast Antivirus an excellent guide that answers most questions. It is not a good idea to keep your pc turned off and disconnected from the internet, when you get on it and connect you then are way behind in updates not only for your antivirus but for windows.

@susieq07, Someone needs to put you in your place. And I'm going to do it! What you are doing is down right wrong. You have not been professionally trained in the removal of malware. If you would have jumped in earlier and told her to boot to Safe Mode and run MBAM this is what would have happened. All programs would have been gone and the malware would have won! Some malware does not even run in Safe Mode. Most of the threats now days installs a rootkit. Tell me..how do you remove a rootkit? If your are as good as you think you are then you would know the answer! If you were a professional then you would know that ASC is bad because it includes a Registry cleaner. A professional would never use that program. Oh an susieq07, Security Tool IS NOT A VIRUS!!! IT IS A ROGUE PROGRAM. Weren't you told that before? There is a really big difference between a Virus and a Rogue program! If you don't know the difference you are doing an injustice to the Seniors you think you are helping!!! See below for definitions of several different types of malware. http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110404055408AAZVTKy I'm sorry everybody, but I can not stand around and allow someone who thinks they know what malware is all about take advantage of the uneducated, especially when it involves the elderly. They are the most trusting people in the world. Someone has to protect/educate them to be aware of those who think they know what they say they do. Please accept my apologies. Here is a link that might be useful: Remove Security Tool

I don't think a user with normal PC experience (and with neither exposure to nor understanding of the depths and bowels of the project) can knowledgeably assess whether or not to do a software update. Even someone with advanced technical knowledge can often not make sense of details gained from only an over-the-fence peek. My advice - accept all updates. When there are cosmetic or unintended hiccups, they're usually detected and fixed in days. For Windows, have restore points so that problems can be rolled back. For browsers, have two or more onboard and current. If one starts acting silly, use another for awhile. As far as differences between browsers? Eh, not really to my eye. They all do the same things the same ways. Some are smaller, some are larger. As with most software, most people don't need or use the bells and whistles so special features don't much matter.