I have the free Zone Alarm on my laptop. Zone Alarm, I found, is nag free for about a month after installing. . After some time, as the computer was restarted, a screen began always coming up and asking if I'd like to update. I just change the selection to "later". Small price to pay for "free". Other than the nag at boot up, I haven't had a problem with the free Zone Alarm. I looked at the reviews for free Zone Alarm, and others say the "nag at boot-up" is the only time they're asked to buy stuff. Woody ========================= gmafinley@yahoo.com writes: Sorry, I've been off-line for several months, and I'm just now getting caught up on all my email. I have a question for Woody. I had Zone-Alarm for a long time and really did like it. But a while back I got rid of it, because they kept bugging me to sign up to buy things. Then when I got a new computer I decided I'd try again, and I couldn't even download it without buying something. I don't call that "free". Has anyone else had this experience? Thanks, Velma ----- Original Message ---- From: "woodywoodworth@aol.com" <woodywoodworth@aol.com> To: senior-newbie@rootsweb.com Sent: Wed, December 23, 2009 3:07:13 AM Subject: Re: [SR-NEWBIE] Program conflict? Barbra WinXP's firewall isn't much good. (Vista's is OK.) I recommend the free ZoneAlarm firewall located at http://download.cnet.com/ZoneAlarm/3000-10435_4-10039884.html (Lots of download buttons on the page. It's the one next to 38.38mb) If you haven't performed a Disk Cleanup in a while, do that and see if that speeds up the computer. Avira, AdAware, SpywareBlaster, and Spybot all are good, and their use means you're not loaded down with "phone home" spyware and you're OK there. Run "Malwarebytes" to see if you have something lurking on your computer. Download at _http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10826546.htm l_ (http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10826546.htm l) The proper download button on the above Malwarebytes download web page is deceptively small. The small green button for Malwarebytes is on the left side of the page where it says: "A newer version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is available. Download the latest version | Learn more about Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.42" Woody ======================= Barbraseb@wmconnect.com writes: I have a Dell Dimension 2400 and run Win XP. I have Avira anti-virus, AdAware, Spyware Blaster, and Spybot Search and Destroy. I use the Windows firewall. Can anyone tell me if there is a conflict among these programs? My computer is so slow, it is driving me bonkers. I appreciate and thank you for your help.