There are a few programs I call essential and they are the first things I install on every computer I use. They are…….

~ Spy Sweeper ~
http://www.webroot.com/
Protection from harmful spyware that invades your privacy and can lead to identity theft.

~ AVG ~ (Free version is fine)
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
AVG Free for Windows is a free anti-virus protection tool

~ Ad-Aware SE Personal ~
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Provides advanced protection from known data-mining, aggressive advertising, Trojans, dialers, malware, browser hijackers, and tracking components.

~ Mozilla Firefox Browser ~
http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/
Award-winning, free browser, more stable than IE and protects you from viruses, spyware and pop-ups as well. Not to mention all the very cool extensions you can download and customize it with!

~ Mozilla Thunderbird Mail Program ~
http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/
Intelligent Spam protection, multiple emails work fine (I have 12 currently set up, including GMail accounts), very customizable.

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