1. Windows Firewall (SP2) if the user is playing with Windows XP anyway. It's already installed and does a fair job without confusing or complicating little old ladies' lives. I like hands on and ever reporting firewalls which can be tweeked and peeked but most users just get so annoyed with all that "meaningless" info that they turn them off anyway.
2. Google's Search Toolbar with intelligent pop-up stopper (7,714 stopped since my last instal!). I turn off Microsoft's way-too-late attempts. Their search is poor (although they have some good ideas for future directions). I turn off Microsoft's pop-up stopper (Google stops all ads, Microsoft still allows "Microsoft pop-up ads and their affiliates - huh??? Gee, thanks!)
3. AVG free edition. I've never had an issue or a missed virus with computers running the program - I can't say the same for Norton or McAfee.
4. AdAware SE. It's free, terribly simple to use, makes automatic backups and quarantines things transparently (it also makes a big noise when it's done a scan lol). It's a good first choice for learning anti-adware skills. After the first few runs, most of what's appearing are just cookies anyway.
5. Spybot Search and Destroy. Nice complimentary program to pair up with AdAware. Advanced settings and tools but also a simple interface for newbies. My one BIG gripe about Spybot is that it doesn't come with even a basic set of definitions available - effectively, you need to be able to connect to the internet with that computer in order to get the stuff to remove the stuff. Huh??? There's a complicated and confusing method of getting the info and program from another computer and adding both it and the definitions onto the infected computer but it's a hassle in those cases where the computer can't access the internet or floppy/CD drives at the same time. On the plus side, it integrates with SpyBlaster and immunizes against all sorts of issues without a lot of hassle. It's also one of the few programs which includes the LSP-Fix in case of emergency (although, it helps to have it installed before) trouble starts lol.
6. SpyBlaster! Simple, click it once, update it every month. No hassles, just fundimental blocking of the worst of the worst internet scum sites. Integrates well with SpyBot Search & Destroy.
7. HiJackThis! Always good to have this on your computer. Small, simple to use*, updated frequently. It's a must have diagnostic tool. (* use is straight forward, understanding what you're seeing is a little more complicated but a great way to double-check, verify, take a quick look - and to start learning about what's really happening on your computer.)
8. HOSTS file usage (and EDexter to replace missing ads). Everyone should invest a weekend learning about their host files and how to block any site-wide content. Parasites can't get to your computer if your computer can never locate them. Simple to use, built into Windows.
9. Online scans once/week:
   Quick peek at Dox Desk since it's really quick and there's info to read.
   Trend's Housecall free anti-virus/anti-spyware scan (catching things which might have gotten onto your computer before your scanners updated).
10. Shields Up! (GRC.com) Nice place to peek at your computer from the outside-inwards. Trusted to check your firewall and test your system for common vulnerabilities. I tend to double-check computers against this site every once in a while.

(All those sites/programs can be reached by visiting http://groups.msn.com/WebDesign/securitytools.msnw )

• Other than that, I let others play with the experimental, beta type programs.
• I'll definitely leave it to others to throw money after paid versions of the same things.
• I don't like Microsoft's Anti-Spyware tool, especially after it's misidentified Norton components as hostile. It is beta but it's still been taking out good programs with the bad.
• I don't support StopSign (eAcceleration was rumoured to have started out making scumware/adware).

I do change my opinions from time to time but that top 10 freebies list hasn't let me down on dozens of computers over the last 2-3 years. So I figure, do I really need anything else?

Education and changing surfing habits is far, far more important in the battle against scumware. Programs can only do so much and without human guidance even the best tend to make mistakes.

It's safer to teach humans not to make mistakes and rely on scanners to catch you if you fall.

Dee