Since nobody has done it yet, I will list a few programs that will help to keep you (the internet n00b) secure from virus, spyware, adware, malware and such.

Get an Anti Virus and make sure you update periodically.
Get a Firewall and update it periodically as well.
Get AdAware, SpyBot S&D, CCleaner, Spyware Guard and SpywareBlaster. Also update them periodically.
If you good with registry, get JV16 or Hijackthis.
Change your Internet Explorer browser for Mozilla Firefox.
Beaware of P2P can give you trojans and virus.... scan the files you donwload before you open them. Even zip files you can scan.
Dont open attachments from people you dont know ( I dont open even from people I know). Some virus will just send emails to all the contact on the infected computer. So you will think your friend sent you an email, but it's acctually the virus who did.

I will keep changing this post to add some more technics to get your LAN more secure. Keep coming back.


Security Toolkit

Select your own favorite free security programs or try these suggestions.

Antivirus


Grisoft offers a free version of its AVG Anti-Virus for personal use. Don't forget to record the serial number, as you'll need it for installation.
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Antispyware


Spybot Search & Destroy has won our Editors' Choice award in the past and remains an excellent tool for eliminating spyware.
http://www.safer-networking.org
Spybot won't catch everything, so you'll also want to bring Lavasoft's Ad-aware.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Since these two may miss a particularly virulent search bar or home page hijacker, add HijackThis from SpywareInfo.
http://www.spywareinfo.com
Finally, if the protean CoolWebSearch hijacker is present, only the latest version of SpywareInfo's CWShredder has a chance of eliminating it.
http://www.spywareinfo.com

Personal firewall
Windows XP has a built-in firewall of sorts, but the firewall doesn't offer the protection against the misuse of your Internet connection by rogue programs that a standalone personal firewall would.


The free version of ZoneAlarm is a perennial favorite.
http://www.zonelabs.com
Sygate Personal Firewall also offers a free edition.
http://smb.sygate.com/ products/spf_standard.htm

Browser
On the chance that the user's browser is damaged or unusable, bring a copy of a free browser (one that's a smaller download than IE).


Mozilla is free. http://www.mozilla.org
Opera has a free 14-day trial version. http://www.opera.com
In case you want Firefox from mozilla. http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

This post has been edited by infested_ysy: Aug 7 2004, 03:29 PM