Two weeks ago, I wiped my C:\ partition and reloaded WinXP. I did this for two reasons: 1.) It wasn't booting very fast like it used to, and it was time to do the biannual format and reinstall. 2.) A virus and some spyware found it's way onto my PC.

So, after the installation of Windows, followed by reinstalling all the needed hardware drivers and software programs, I decided to try different Antivirus, Firewall, and Anti-Spyware programs. Previously, I used Norton, ZoneAlarm, and AdAware.

I am now using AVG Antivirus, Comodo Firewall Pro, and Spybot S&D. I like them so far. AVG seems less demanding on system resources compared to Norton. Comodo has more advanced features for tweaking settings. Spybot, well, we'll see.

Anyhow, all this got me thinking. What do the THXers use to protect their Windows PCs? And what might they recommend?

What do you, personally, use, and why would you recommend it to others? All the above programs, save for Norton, are free. If yours is free, then great. If not, what do you feel justifies the expense?

BTW, kindly refrain from referring me or others to Unix-based O/S's (i.e. Linux, OSX). I know they're more secure and more stable. But this thread is about Windows.

Here's my problem. My college blocks any consoles from connecting to any kind of outside server. In fact... our firewall blocks a hell of alot of things that don't need to be blocked, pretty much any online game. On my computer I can get around this most of the time, but I have no idea how to do this with a 360. Is there some way I can configure it to run through a proxy server? I really don't know enough about how consoles work.

It doesn't bother me too much that I can't play online. I'm mostly satisfied with playing the people in my building over the LAN. Problem is, half of Halo 3's achievements have to be done in online play! I can't get the 1,000 points I need for my security helmet w/o Live, and that just will not do.

Currently, the plan is to spend a weekend at a friends house and try to do everything in two days. I was wondering though if anyone had the tech experience to help me out here so that I could play from the comfort of my dorm.

Thanks.