wyrmrider
I am suffering from information overload at present. The firewall keeps asking me questions about programmes and I am clueless as to whether to allow them or not. At present I uncheck the 'remember this setting' box then I click on "block" assuming that at the next start up the same question will be asked and that by then I will have discovered something new and can make an informed choice.
I would like to give it a rest, as you have suggested too, for a period and try to come up to speed. This will probably include checking out the PCTFW forum for tips etc. In this case to ensure safe surfing would my immediate priority be to download and install Spybot S&D (selecting the options you suggest)? And then when I come back attend to the Hosts issue?
memory on C-drive = 14.5 GB (not an awful lot I know) NB - hard drive is partitioned with 65.8GB free on E-drive
#1 .......... T-timer is optional try it and see if it is compatible with your system
how much memory did you say you have
Leading on from the quote above what I am prompted to wonder is how the operating speed of the computer might be affected with the installation of the current safeguards combined with those suggested in previous posts? What I mean is should some slowing down be expected or should its normal operation continue. (I am very happy with its operation speed). I ask this as some titles of forum threads (no necessarily at avast!) have made me curious about this. So far there has been no noticeable difference.