Essential Software

[GoCobbers1]

I have always bought "box" computers that come with half the hard drive filled with needless crap. But now I built my own PC and will be putting a fresh installation of Windows XP home.

What software do you all recommend for it...

Spyware?
Virus protection?
Registry cleaner?
I have heard things about Open Office instead of Microsoft Office? Is that a good option?
Anything else that would be helpful?

I am interested in just keeping an overall clean computer without the needless clutter that some of the typical Best Buy/ Dell computers have.

I am not against spending money, but the idea of freeware is appealing.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[mundane]

There are a couple of stickied threads at the top of this forum, detailing various Security Applications and Free Software. If the search function worked, you'd be able to dig up a number of similar threads on this topic as well.

Here's a very quick rundown of how, on average, my machines are setup. I know I'm mangling their user names (sorry in advance), but Schadenfroh and mechBogon both have given excellent advice on securing a PC, which goes beyond just what software to install, but how to configure policies and such to minimize what can actually be done to infect it.
Spyware: I try to avoid it. Generally run a Lavasoft Adaware check every once in a while. There's also the (currently) free Windows Defender.
Virus Protection: I like Nod32, but it's not free. There have been some good recommendations of Kaspersky/AOL branded AV. In the past I've used both AVG and AntiVir, and found them adequate.
Registry Cleaner: For general cleaning, I run Crap Cleaner every once in a while. It deletes temp/cache files, etc, and also takes a peek in the regsitry
Office: If you can get academic pricing, MS Office is a better choice. If you're stuck paying full retail, I'd go with Open Office in a heartbeat. Just be warned that although it does most of what MS Office can, the user interface is arranged differently, which can cost you some initial time to re-learn.
Firewall: Be behind a router, first of all. Beyond that, I'm content with the standard Windows Firewall.

Again, check out the stickied threads at the top of the forum, they'll help immensely.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Read MecBgon's site:
http://www.mechbgon.com/build/security1.html

See my sig for firewall, antivirus, and antispyware solutions

 

[BladeVenom]

Open Office is good. I would also recommend getting Firefox or Opera for an internet browser. Irfanview for a picture viewer. GIMP for a picture editor. VLC or Media Player classic with FFDshow for a player. 7-zip for file decompression. GAIM for instant messaging.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Read MecBgon's site:
http://www.mechbgon.com/build/security1.html

See my sig for firewall, antivirus, and antispyware solutions

I just revamped the next page too, how's this look? http://www.mechbgon.com/build/security2.html I admit to a bit of Limited-account fixation... the support group meets at 1PM on Thursdays

Also, if you want a Registry cleaner, try an online Live OneCare Full Service Scan, which includes a Registry cleaner. Somehow, I would rather use a Microsoft Registry cleaner than third-party.

Other potentially-useful stuff:

Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6

If you don't like tracking cookies, then for each user account on your WinXP, go to Control Panel > Internet Options, hit the Privacy tab, scoot Privacy up to Medium-High, then hit the Advanced button and set it like this.

If you give your Admin account a password, you can set up a Scheduled Task (in Control Panel) to do a full Defrag at night.

 

[Frodolives]

Adaware + Spywareblaster + hijackthis + AntiVir + Arovax Shield + Ccleaner.

 

[Piuc2020]

If you are going with Vista you only really need Avast! antivirus if even that for your security needs. For tweaking, get CCleaner and TuneXP 1.5 if you are going with XP, if you are going with Vista, just get AusLogics DiskDefrag (the defrag utility in Vista is not very good). For spyware in Windows XP you can download Ad-Aware or Windows Defender or even both if you like complemented by spyware blaster (that prevents spyware in the first place rather than scanning and deleting it like Ad-Aware).

Apart from that Firefox is a very neat browser that can be customized to do just about anything you can imagine, I like iTunes as my music player because I've been using it for 7 years and I just can't change now but you might also like to check out Foobar2000 or WinAMP. Windows Live Messenger 8.1 is hands down the best IM program, that is, if you use MSN.

Office 2007 is great, worth the money, in my opinion, either get OpenOffice for free or pony up for Office 2007 but do not pay for Office 2003.

Notepad ++ and Paint.NET are cool little alternative to notepad and MS Paint if you want something a little more polished and more powerful.

 

[GoCobbers1]

Great Info!
I used Mechbgons guide to build my computer AND your security section rocks as well.
Thanks for all the help.

I ended up buying Nod32
Prob use Adaware for spyware.
The Microsoft Live One care seems to do the job just fine for registery
Firefox 4 life!

Where to find Office 2003 for free? legal only please..

 

[BladeVenom]

You could probably find a copy of Office 2003 cheap, but I wouldn't expect to get it free. You could get, or have someone get for you, the latest Student and Teachers version for a reasonable price.