Are there ANY free Windows security features?
 

I run XP on the other side of my partition, and I have the anti-spyware beta installed. However, I do not have any anti-virus program or firewall installed. Because I occasionally surf the net on my Windows side, I would like to get these installed. Is there any way to get software for this purpose without having to shell out $30.00 a piece to some a#$h$le, Microsoft company once a year? Personally, I think these basic features should come with XP, but they do not.

I love linux.

Thanks for the help.

there's a free (as in beer) AVG version for home users:

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/40/lng/us/tpl/tpl01

as for the spyware try spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org/

i thought XP came with a simple firewall...

RE:
 

as far as firewalls: Zonealarm, Kerio and Sygate are offer free home versions for personal use. Windows XP also has a half a**ed firewall that comes built in.

Anti-virus: Avast, AntiVir PE, AVG are all offer free home versions as well. I use Avast. Good program.

"Secure your system and keep out Spyware, Adware, viruses and Popups. "
http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=240548

My weapons of choice are:

AVG antivirus
Kerio Firewall
Spybot - Search and Destroy
Spyware Blaster
Ad-Aware;
and a few others I can't be bothered racking my brains for.

All free to use, some may be restricted to non-commercial use though.

I also use Firefox instead of IE, gaim instead of MSN messenger, things like that.

For a firewall you can try Jetico Personal Firewall. Its a bit hard to configure but i hear its worth it

Sygate personal firewall http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm
Clamwin antivirus http://www.clamwin.com
Spy-bot search & destroy
Ad-Aware
BeClean http://boozet.xepher.net/beclean/

Adding to what phil.k.g said, you can also use aMSN instead of MSN Messenger.

Many of the Windows firewalls come with an IDS too, like BlackICE and ZoneAlarm. As long as you're not expecting snort functionality, XP's firewall works quite well actually.

If you have installed SP2 then the built-in firewall is basically the same as Zone Alarm and the others. Before SP2 it was difficult to change settings. For anti-virus software, I suggest AVG from Grisoft (link in first reply). AdAware is the good adware/spyware scanner, along with the MS scanner beta.

SP2 enables the XP firewall by default. SP1 and earlier didn't, but the firewall was always there. SP2 did add a little "Security Center" applet to make things easier though. Checks your anti-virus software status and automatic update settings too. Each has to be enabled to get a "green light." Red light bad, green light good.... even your average Neanderthal Windows user can follow those signals. :P hehe (sorry, couldn't resist)

Tiny Firewall
AVG 7
Spybot S & D
Adaware

also
Ashampoo WinOptimizer
is very handy

floppy