Good free anti-virus/spyware/adware for idiots?

You could set up limited user accounts for them but then they'll moan they can't install anything at all.

Try installing Microsoft Security Essentials - http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ - it's good and at least that'll get updated during the normal Windows updates.

I don't think there is software out (at least that I know of) that has the ability to prevent users from downloading certain programs. My suggestion would be to get a live scanning anti-virus program such as Avast (http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download). This makes sure that when a user is downloading a file or piece of software, it does not contain malicious content. Also, if the computer is already infected, a good clean-up anti-virus is Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/).

All of the programs stated above are 100% free. Just make sure you click to download the free version!

I wish you the best of luck! Have a very Merry Christmas!

There is a lot of malware out there and people do dumb thing. But some of the malware is drive by you have to do nothing to get it. Some shows up as up dates and looks ok and tricks a lot of people. I like AVG free and microsoft security essentials all so free.

Avast is good at stopping infected downloads.

http://www.avast.com/en-gb/free-antivirus-download

it will stop the download before the infection gets anywhere near the computer.

if they add the pro version of malwarebytes to that,

which is only a small one off fee,

they will be even better protected.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

.

avast it's free and you just have to re-register once a year. Takes 10 seconds to do.

Yes, it's called "disconnecting them from the internet"

However if this is too extreme for you, then a good free service is "Microsoft essentials" or something along those lines, from the Microsoft site.

There's a lot of anti-virus programs, i like Norton, cause it prevents me from even going on unsafe sites,

google spyware terminator gud free spyware removal software, also mozilla firefox

I use avast, it will check every download.

Spybot search and destroy. Works well for me and it is free (no gimmicks, etc.)