What are some must have programs to protect your computer?

[DDv]

There is a free version of it, yes. But to fully use it's potential you have to buy it. (Or crack it.)

[Hamael]

yes avg antispyware is free. as antivir program I recommend nod32. anti spyware is search and destroy or Ad-aware. firewall, there was this one that i liked, sygate firewall, but the norton anti folks bought them and then it turned to crap so i cant recommend any firewall.

[ErgoProxy]

I see o,o maybe I test it.

[pretmaker]

I am thinking of trying sophos or maybe even buying it... It seems like a decent thing... It is better then McAfee at least and it has a nice CP for the admins with domein servicing etc.

[Fappy]

Spyware Terminator 2 with AV Clam Virus protection. It's badass, and it's simple and free, unlike AVG Free. Which isn't really all that free to begin with...

Download is here:

http://www.download.com/Spyware-Terminator/3000-8022_4-10468541.html?tag=lst-1

[kiziroglu]

I've used prettu much all of the programs , and NOD32 is the best...

[Aur0ra]

As for virus checkers both Avast and AVG are the best free ones
if your speaking of paid ones, i suggest Trend Micro PC Cillin, note: PC Cillin can be quite demanding in terms of system memory if you don't have a particularly good cpu if thats the case Avast or AVG is probably more suited as they require less memory

In terms of spyware
Adware and Spybot Search & Destroy are two of the best

Other recommended tools would be
RegCleaner - Helps to clean old,dead unused HKEYS
Window Washer - Cleans hidden files that may remain after uninstalling a program, also clears caches and generally cleans up your computer freeing up some space (Excellent program to run i highly suggest)
Regseeker - Is another program similar to Regcleaner yet performs a little better in my opinion

Note: i highly disagree with the people suggesting Norton, zone alarm and mcafee, Norton can and will conflict with nearly every program on your computer the same with zone alarm. mcafee isn't nearly as effective as AVG, Avast or PC Cillin

Hope i've been of help. :)

[Sleepy-Mouse]

For anti-virus software I use NOD32.

In the case of anti-sypware; I use the older version of adaware, not the 2007 version. Unfortunately I seem to be getting an error whilst updating now so I guess they've stopped supporting it or something. Now I use Spyware Terminator which is pretty decent.

I also use a little piece of software called CrapCleaner which clears the cache. There's also a regcleaner built in it, though I personally don't use it out of fear of breaking something hehe.

[Fappy]

Counterspy kicks ass too. It's pretty deep.

[EchelonV]

Nice rec's Aur0ra, I'm going to have to check some of those out.

For me I use AVG, Spybot, Ad-aware, and Tuneup Utilities.