Recently, I’ve been helping folks with their computing problems at home. I realized that one of the first things I do is download and install Firefox and Thunderbird.
Firefox is a web browser and I recommend it over Internet Explorer. From my experience as a support specialist, I’ve found that Internet Explorer is how the majority of spyware is installed on one’s computer. Firefox doesn’t allow spyware to enter your computer in the same way that Internet Explorer does. Firefox will import your Internet Explorer preferences and favorites for you. The installation takes only 3 minutes and can drastically improve the security and performance of your personal computer.
Thunderbird is an email client (like Outlook Express). In fact, I frequently migrate users from Outlook Express to Thunderbird. Like Firefox, Thunderbird will import your mail messages, addressbook, and preferences from Outlook Express. The switch from Outlook Express to Thunderbird is quick and fun. It’s nice knowing that Thunderbird is less susceptible than Outlook Express is to viruses, meaning you’ll be safer when sending and recieving emails.
Two more “must-have” free software applications include GIMP (an Adobe Photoshop replacement) and OpenOffice (an alternative to Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Powerpoint). When I meet someone who wants to edit an image, type a MS Word document, analyze data in Excel, or create a Powerpoint slide show, I recommend they install one, or both, of these applications.
These 4 free programs give the user the same functionality as their commercial counterparts. And in the case of Firefox and Thunderbird, a user is much more secure when using them instead of Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.