Web Browser, Anti-virus software

[Charles]

Just finished installing Win2k in 2 computers. Next is which browser and version? To anti-virus or to not anti-virus. Both of these computers are for home use with dial-up connection with Earthlink(no software), no networking. Mostly use for education,media and surfing net. Suggestions, recommendations and reasoning will all be great to hear. Thanks a bunch.

[K A Hall]

To anti-virus or to not anti-virus?

Always, and I mean always use a good AV program. Why? Because there are viruses out there and why take the chance.
As far as a browser, that is your preference. Try them all.

[morriswindgate]

You probably will not need an anti-virus program unless you plan on downloading files, visiting sites that run java scripts or active x scripts, or you do not plan on using E-Mail. Also you probably will not need one if you are not going to use floppies or programs given to you from pther people.
I personally find that an Anti-Virus program is a total waste of money when using a computer as a doorstop or as a place to rest your feet on when watching television.
Since none of the above probably applies to you I suggest that you get an OEM copy of Norton System Works off of the internet for as Little as 20 bucks. Not only does it have probably the best AV program, it also contains a very good hard drive utility program, Norton Ghost, and Winfax basic.
As far as browsers, stick with IE, it is virtually the standard now and almost all websites will display properly with it.

[morriswindgate]

Here is a place you can get Norton for the 20 bucks

http://store.yahoo.com/csfostore/index.html

[species 8472]

If you have any Internet connection, especially if you are using Instant Messaging, it's a good idea to have a good AV program. There is a good one that is free you can download from http://www.grisoft.com You may also want to find a good firewall too. Zonealarm works well, in my opinion. You can check it out at http://www.zonelabs.com

Hope this helps.

[morriswindgate]

I am not a big proponant of a Firewall when using Dial-up. Firewalls are only needed when you are on a broadband connection where you IP address is fixed, which in that case a trojan RAT program has a chance to reconnect to you everytime you are on. And also the fact that broadband is fast enough to be of use to the attacker. With dial-up the IP Address is only good for as long as you are logged on, after you log off this IP can be assigned to someone else, and when you log on again you get a different one.
You do need the AV so that you can detect the infection of a virus or trojan, not to mention hostile script blocking.

[species 8472]

It better to be safe than sorry...

[morriswindgate]

Well you can look at it that way or you can look at it from the standpoint that you have running software that not only do you not need, but can glitch (Freeware Firewalls) leaving you to re-install windows.
On broardband this is an acceptable risk, but if you look in the forums here you will find a lot of entries involving problems accessing the internet that were caused by glitching firewall programs
Plus the importance of a firewall is not stopping something from getting on your computer, that is where the AV comes in. Instead it's most important purpose is to stop you computer from communicating out to an unauthorized addess.

[glc]

I set up all my Win2K dialup customers with AVG and IE 5.5 SP2.

[Charles]

Thanks a bunch.