Dear davebatey,
I agree the all-in-one solution cannot work, for two people are not the same. The one thinks a good up to date anti-virus and firewall is sufficient. The other says no I want a specific anti-Trojan program, a combination of anti-spyware, anti-adware, anti-malware, anti-scumware programs (the dutch Hitman Pro with the 30-day Spysweeper on-board), a mailwasher, protection through their ISP (anti-spam, anti-virus), a history-cleaner, and what have ye?
It comes when you visit fori enough, and learn and experience from experts, what eventually will be your personal solution. I for instance am with a searchengine forum, an anti-spyware offensive, and this AVAST forum. This is the true way to educate people. Read, post, ask around, be aware. If someone wants their comps turned into zombies for the spammer-man, they do it by their own accords. Let them have it. If you are a KazaA-alot with or without Peer Guard and land on spyware-bonus-grounds, then that's your ill luck. One big virus accident, klez e.g. later, they will learn, when they have to re-install, but do they really mind?
Kindest regards,
yours faithfully,
POLONUS