Got My Own Computer And... (in Off-topic)

How do I install the java stuff for chat? The stuff weirding me out. Thanks for any help you can give.

http://java.sun.com/

But, providing any details about what type of computer, OS and/or browser you're using wouldn't hurt either...

http://www.java.com/en/

Doh, posted same time...

Okay. More help.

What should I install on a raw computer? Protection, helpful things and other stuff. I use comcast and it's an older hp, if that helps.

Woot! GW can be on cb 24/7 now ;)

Avast Anti-Virus
Windows Defender (spy-ware)

And download all those everyday programs, like MSN and AIM.

Or, download Trillian or Pidgin and you don't have to download MSN, AIM or Yahoo, because they are all in the same program :)

Main question. Where do I go to get these things?

Download.com is a good website. Just search it there and you'll usually find these programs.

http://www.download.com/

You should find most of the tools you're looking for here.
I think they also have a help guide what tools you may need on a new PC somewhere.

Flamey was faster....

Not so long ago a rather nasty piece of malware was accepted onto my PC. Because it was accepted my virus software and firewall didn't stop the resulting disaster.
I ended up enlisting the help of some friendly geeks from a forum or two. After clearing up the problems I was given one last piece of advice. I've not followed all the advice to the letter, but I have found that Spybot search and destroy along with AdAware and CleanUp keep me nice and free of any nasties.Trillian as mentioned by someone above is also a good IM to use although personally I'm not big on it myself.

Here's some of the advice I received...

--

The following is a list of tools and utilities that I like to suggest to people. This list is full of great tools and utilities to help you understand how you got infected and how to keep from getting infected again.

• Spybot Search & Destroy - Uber powerful tool which can search and annhilate nasties that make it onto your system. Now with an Immunize section that will help prevent future infections.
• AdAware - Another very powerful tool which searches and kills nasties that infect your system. AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy compliment each other very well.
• SpywareBlaster - Great prevention tool to keep nasties from installing on your system.
• IE-SpyAd - puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.
• CleanUP! - Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
• Windows Updates - It is very important to make sure that both Internet Explorer and Windows are kept current with the latest critical security patches from Microsoft. To do this just start Internet Explorer and select Tools > Windows Update, and follow the online instructions from there.
• Google Toolbar - Free google toolbar that allows you to use the powerful Google search engine from the bar, but also blocks pop up windows.
• Trillian or Miranda-IM - These are Malware free Instant Messenger programs which allow you to connect to multiple IM services in one program! (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, IRC, MSN)

  To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein.

Google Pack perhaps?
But I would have started with choosing the right OS first ;)

Whatever browser you choose, set your homepage to http://www.carnageblender.com :)

"AVG Free" (search for this on google) Anti Virus (Norton is a dog slowly dying and taking your computer with it)

Firefox (didn't see it in the above list)

Infra Recorder (free CD burning Util)

http://osswin.sourceforge.net/ free Open Source (code has been reviewed by the community and is very unlikely to have spyware/malware issues) windows software...

www.opensourcewindows.org/

www.opensourcelist.org/oss/ (haven't checked out these last two sights, but they might have stuff the first one doesn't)

Also, don't install all of the above and have them running on your PC - you'll kill it's performance!
Pick one or two only that you know will work well together (google is your friend) and go for them.

it doesnt work with the auto install on FF, but when i formatted and used IE and clicked install through the chat window, it actually installed for me. Try that maybe.

Thanks peoples.

Will be changing to Firefox now and looking for google and stuff =D

how did that work out for you?

you should use;

avast antivirus (www.avast.com)
comodo personal firewall (www.comodo.com)
firefox (www.firefox.com)
xp antispy (google search)
netmeter (google search)
protowall (www.bluetack.co.uk)
blocklist manager (www.bluetack.co.uk)

and probably a couple of other things...

good luck :)