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Ive just reformatted because my old system was infested to the teeth with virus's, spyware etc, ima gona and keep this one clean, any tips on what programs to use and stuff. Ive already got Firefox and using it, ive got spybot, i need something in terms of a firewall and anti-virus , all for free of coarse, any suggestions?

[center]Just get some virus scanner, and scan everything you DL, and your browser's cache. Just being smart about what you do helps alot, and virus sweeps every month protect you even if one slips by.[/center]

if you want to go with a cheep anti-virus program, get AVG anti-virus. As for a firewall, windows XP SP2 has it's own firewall. I forgot how to activate it though. ... (EDIT/addition: You could use zone alarm. I don't know if it's still free to use though. Get it at http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp ) However, if you really want to get something worth while, get Norton internet securty. It come's with it's own firewall and anti-virus program.

Or, you could save yourself a lot of : : and get windows 98 instead. I have yet to be attacked with viruses (unlike windows xp.)

Don't even bother depending on an OS built in firewall (unless it's linux maybe).
Define your defination of free .
Panda antivirus has a good reputation, as does ZoneAlarm. Both available as freeware at www.downloads.com.

Currently, I'm not running any firewall or antivirus or anything of the sort. I just don't fool around to get things like malware.

although my computer that runs windows xp doesn't have any of that malware stuff (as was confirmed using ad-aware), 5 viruses would end up on my computer every minute if it wasn't for norton anti-virus.

Don't go to websites that would be contain stuff that would be considered illegal. Don't download any of that stuff. Don't install anything that says it has adware (most programs do say that, you just never bother to read it).

And then I don't see any reason for you to get a virus or spyware. I haven't ever needed either of the two.

you can get spyware just by visiting a website -- and you might not even know it (unless you use ad-aware)

well, if your going to decide to buy an anti virus, get the norton anti-virus with a firewall because thats the best out of the ones ive used. its a little too late for me though because my computer has 70 viruses and i dont know how to delete them!

<edit>sry sa_max missed your post, but at least we both agree!