Now is a good time as any to go back over some of the free software available for all sorts of jobs on our computers.

Firstly, let's recall that there's a choice of free anti-virus software, such as AVG, Bit Defender or AntiVir Personal Edition. Each of these programs is updated to protect against the latest virus attacks, some on a daily basis. As well, free removal tools are offered when things become desperate.

At this stage, anybody who hasn't ordered and installed the free Windows Security Update CD isn't missing a freebie for themselves but could be causing problems for the rest of us on the Net, a much more serious situation. Order the CD now - it will take a whole minute of your time - and give the rest of us peace of mind.

Having brought your system up to date, use the Windows Update site to add other critical security updates. XP users are automatically notified of such updates. Note you can make the task a little easier by choosing just a couple of updates at a time. When you're on dialup, use the rough measure of one megabyte of download will take about six or seven minutes.

Some freebies offered on some sites on the Net are just too good to be true and a single click when you're not sure what the consequences are can wreak havoc. So, when you're not sure, don't! For example, when you see any piece of free software that's associated with Gator or Gain, don't! Gain is one of many companies responsible for adware and spyware, that is, software that runs in the background and tracks the sites you visit, or worse, tries to find and upload any personal information on your computer. See the Ad-aware site for a long list of companies associated with adware and spyware.

Consequently, another two programs you may need from time to time are Ad-aware and Spybot Search and Destroy. Both these programs are free. Before running them for the first time, make sure you download the latest reference files (each has an update button to make the job easy).

Finally, some fun stuff. XP users have quite a choice: Movie Maker 2 (not only useful for working with home movies from a digital camcorder but also can produce movies from a collection of photos), Photo Story LE (to see how you can make a movie from photos and screenshots), the Powertoys graphical calculator, Irfanview graphics program, Vicman's photo editor and a number of free creativity fun packs for XP to use with Movie Maker.

In the next month or two Microsoft will be releasing service pack 2 for Windows XP. Don't even think of downloading this update, unless you're on broadband and you use the Express Install. The pack is about 280 Mb in size and Microsoft will be supplying it on a CD or hopefully making it available through the cover CD on various monthly computer magazines.

Also keep an eye out for some significant changes in Hotmail this month or next. Inbox size is to be enlarged to 250Mb and attachment size will also be increased. Anti-virus scanning and anti-spamming will be free as part of your Hotmail subscription, as well as extra features such as a calendar that's shareable between Hotmail users.