I use Norton internet security, it's an antivirus and firewall. I usually buy a 3 computer pack for $30. The only downside is you have 1 year total for all 3 computers, meaning the 1 year starts with the 1st install. They used to allow it as a full year per computer once it was installed on each computer, so I could install it on 2, then again on one a year later. For free AV my hubby uses Avast, for a free firewall zone alarm is fine. AVG is not as good as it used to be according to computer magazines. Make sure you do not install more then one of a certain type of program, if you want something for malaware, don't install more then one because you will then have problems. You can go here, I started it at the post by Hackman. While he suggests AVG and does not like Norton, I use Norton and don't like AVG. I installed AVG on 2 neighbors computers a few years ago, they both ended up infected. Could be user error, back then I found AVG was a bit hard to use for a novice. Avast is easy, it's what we install when we build computers. You can also check out the post free software. There are links for all sorts of free programs from AV & firewall to photo programs. Here is a link that might be useful: avast

Dawn, thank you so much. I also thank your son. We use Cox Cable - they are our provider for the internet, televisions, and telephones. Their security system is free to those who use them, and it is call Authentium, but I cannot find any discussion groups or forums that discuss them. Nortons and Webroot are expensive, and Webroot interferes with my running the computer. When we bought our new computer, we had Circuit City install everything for us, and they installed these programs too. The guy there said that I should never put anything free on the computer because nothing is ever free. He said that few people read the small print during the installation process, that they just keep clicking continue or ok. But in the small print, you agree to allow them to give or sell your name to others. That is why you get many programs coming to you that you don't want. Has you son ever mentioned that? I know many people who use the free programs, and nobody else seems to be aware that they sell information if you subscribe to the free stuff. Sammy

AR, Your welcome as always. Remember to use CC in its default settings only and consider not using the registry utility unless you are familiar with the registry entries themselves. Also, let's not forget about error-checking. My Computer>right click on C:/ drive>Properties>Tools tab>Error-Checking Check Now>check both boxes>Start>Yes>Reboot system This maintenance service takes a while so don't plan on sitting and watching it. It appears in either a blue or black DOS-like screen so don't panic as to its appearance. It safe and hurts nothing. DA

AVG is good but hogged resources big time on my machine, slowed it to a crawl. Avira (free for Windows) is very good, much less a resource hog. For a free firewall I love Comodo (not the suite, just the firewall). Does a bang up job for a freebie. Even warns me of suspicious sites and if it's for sure not good (such as a google search result I click on) will warn me to stop and not enter the site. I use Malwarbytes for scanning for spyware, malware, etc. and SpywareBlaster for stopping the junk from ever landing on my PC via browsers. If SpywareBlaster is kept regularly updated, very little lands on my machine other than the odd tracking cookie.