One of my freinds wants a new computer. She is a bit clueless, and using a good security suite might not be the best way to go. ( I use Kaspersky myself)
Sure, I have considered having her get a decent used Mac unit, but $$ is a big consideration.
How good is the built in security system in Vista? Will it work for a casual web-surfer, no porn, nothing too weird?
No one?
Vista’s UAC + firewall + windows defender for spyware = pretty safe. But I still wouldn’t forgo a virus protection.
So toss in a free subscription to avast and I’d say you’re pretty damn safe.
I used AVG and it seems to be good. Throw in Spybot and/or Malwarebytes (also free) and you should be good to go.
When I used to do IT, the biggest reason I found people get viruses is because they simply go to unknown sites and download. If you’re gonna stick to well known sites like iTunes and such you shouldn’t have many issues.
But ALSO remember to UPDATE your virus or malware protectors.
The one problem I had with AVG and Vista was that it was SO SLOW. I found the problem was the link checker. When I turn it on it takes FIVE minutes to download a Google search. Apparently AVG is checking each link.
So if you disable the link checker you should still be OK.
With ten years experience as a systems administrator, since two years in an environment with Vistas only, I’ll have to agree with Kinthalis. Automatic Updates should stay on too, one could add.
Thanks, dudes. 
Thank you, this might just solve my problems, too! 
I’m running a Vista machine with AVG, and I’m pretty sure they disabled the pre-checking of links a while ago. There was a pretty big backlash when they introduced the technology, both from users and website operators (the AVG probe was a false hit, since the user never actually saw anything from the site).
While the prompts for authorization to perform certain actions is much lamented, I leave it on. I don’t find it burdensome at all, and it’s making its way into other OSes now as well (albeit in arguably less intrusive ways). In any event, if you can tolerate it, it’s one more layer of comfort that you know what’s going on with your machine.