Software that everyone should have for their computers:

1. Anti-virus software-your computer needs to be virus free and should have software to ensure its safety.  Some types of anti-virus software include Norton and Mcaffe.  You can also find some trial or free anti-virus software at www.cnet.com.

2.  Firewall-A firewall will help to protect your computer from being hacked into and help to ensure that your on-line actions are not being monitored.  You need one of these if you are connected with an Ethernet card.  Norton and Black ice are firewalls but Zone labs has one for free.  

3. Office suite-All computers whether running a Mac or pc need to have Microsoft's word and PowerPoint programs because they are useful and compliant with most computer systems.

4.  winzip-  this program will allow you to extract a lot of downloaded files and is free.  you should have this if you plan on downloading things from the internet.  You can get it at www.cnet.com

5.  FTP-file transfer protocol allows you to publish your webpages on the internet.  you can get this for free at www.cnet.com