Geekette here!
I SWEAR by AVG and Sygate Firewall. Windows XP and I want my own firewall that I can set up the specs.
Both are free downloads and haven't failed me yet.
McAfee was a PIA! Norton? Schmorton.
I use Spybot-Search and Destroy. Ad-adware SE Personal for scanning spyware and such. Spyware Blaster for auto-blocking of sites which could hurt your computer. Shoot the Messenger for auto-disabling of the Messenger which comes loaded with Windows Programs. I also use Toni Arts Easy Cleaner. For heavy duty cleaning I use CCleaner. The last one gets rid of the .dat files.
Have you scanned with pandasoft? That works well, too.
Price for a clean computer with the above software? Nada! I have auto updates set up with some of the softwares and with others I update regularly every friday morning like clockwork.
I hope you get everything worked out.
Hope some of the links have helped.
CB? I am 'sceeeered to ask, too. But..uh, is the guy nekkid in the pic? C'mon you can do better than that? Perhaps I should start the chant, bring back Captain Binghamton, Captain Binghamton. <smile> How bout a sit in?
Head about to hit the keyboard in FL,
Donna