If you are concerned about protecting your computer from malware(viruses, spyware etc.) then you will need:
1. AntiVirus
2. Firewall
3. AntiSpyware
4. Virtualization software
5. HijackThis
6. Disk Imaging software
Since most Windows users use Windows XP, if your windows cd isn't already bundled with Service Pack 2, then you have to install Windows XP Service Pack 2, turn on windows's
Automatic Updates and install all the critical patches released by Microsoft.
Most users will recommend switching to a more secure internet browser,
Firefox v3.0. However if you want to continue with Internet Explorer then upgrade to the latest
Internet Explorer v7.0
1.
Kaspersky AntiVirus v7.0.1.325 or
ESET Nod32 AntiVirus v3.0.650
2.
ZoneAlarm Pro v7.0.483.000 or
ZoneAlarm Free v7.0.483.000
3.
Spybot S & D v1.60 and
AVG AntiSpyware v7.5.1.43.3339 and
Windows Defender
4.
Sandboxie v3.28
5.
Official Site of HijackThis
6.
Review of Disk Imaging Software
I think its better to invest in paid antivirus software than go with a free antivirus because in my experience free antivirus has been less effective. Between Kaspersky and Nod32 I choose Kaspersky, simply because its self defense feature is very robust and its better at cleaning detected threats.
For a new user, getting used to using a firewall can be a confusing experience. ZoneAlarm's user interface is very easy to understand and it is widely used and acknowledged to be one the best software firewall's. If you plan to have ZoneAlarm as your firewall alongside Kaspersky Antivirus, then officially the latest ZoneAlarm Pro and ZoneAlarm Free versions are compatible with KAV. However on my friend's core 2 duo system I have seen random reboots with ZA and KAV running. But still ZA is a very good firewall. I have not seen any compatibility issues with Eset Nod32 Antivirus and Zonealarm.
Its fine if you don't get AVG AntiSpyware but you definitely should have Spybot S & D(search & destroy). Spybot S & D is completely free while AVG AntiSpyware is available as a 30 day trial after which if you don't purchase a key, some features(scheduled scan, real-time antispyware protection and automatic updates) are disabled and it becomes a free version which means you have to scan and update manually. Windows Defender is from Microsoft. You need to have genuine windows to download and install windows defender. Not many people will agree with using Windows Defender but I think it is very effective at detecting changes to the system.
With Sandboxie, after you are done browsing in your sandbox, you can delete the sandbox and it will be as if the browsing never happened. Sandboxie isn't limited to just browsing. You can even install/run software, open emails and do nearly everything that you can on your actual computer, in a sandbox. Sandboxie is available in a free version.
If your comp still gets infected, then there are dedicated (free)forums where anti-malware experts will help you clean out the infection and the first thing they will (usually)ask for is a log file by HijackThis. HijackThis is updated frequently so download it as and when its needed.
For the absolute worst case scenario(format/reinstall), you should use disk imaging software with which you can create a (regular and scheduled)complete copy/image of your hard disk(or whichever data you want to). Then to wipe it clean of malware, if you have to format your hard disk , you can simply restore from this image. I use norton ghost 2k3(runs only in dos) but its very primitive by today's standards, not available anymore and it lacks the major features of the current batch of disk imaging software. So I can't recommend any particular disk imaging software. But I think the most popular one's are Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost.
Notes:
1. If you want an all-in-one solution then Kaspersky Internet Security is as good as they come.
2. ESET Smart Security is also an all-in-one alternative.
3. Most Antivirus software now include spyware and rootkit detection
But you should still have a dedicated antispyware.
4. No single AntiSpyware is capable of detecting/cleaning every spyware threat. It is recommended to have multiple anti-spyware software, for use in on-demand scans.
5. As with AntiVirus software, for real-time spyware protection you should only have one AntiSpyware running.
6. I gave up on
SpySweeper when it started getting bloated and slowing down my system. But I remember it used to detect spyware that other software(McAfee AV + AS
) couldn't.
7. ZoneAlarm comes in other versions including an Internet Security Suite.
8. DefenseWall may be an alternative to Sandboxie, however they work in different ways. Sandboxie is preferable for a novice user. There is also Microsoft VirtualPC but that is just overkill.
9. I only speak for software(including its version) that I have tested personally or seen in action on my friends computers. There are newer versions of KAV and EAV.
10.The links are for 32bit version of the softwares.
11.Its better to be safe than sorry. Practice
safe browsing and even safer s*x.
Also Read:
enoonmai
it_waaznt_me
How To Protect PC From Viruses?
Re: How To Protect PC From Viruses?
.. appreciated 
Linear Mode
