Best Bang for The Least Intervention

I have a ladyfriend that is new to PCs and the internet, and since she knows absolutely nothing about securing her PC environment, she is looking to me to expediently help her do just that. My concern is trying to set up her PC with the fewest software packages, that will run behind the scenes as much as possible, require the least intervention from her, yet will provide at least the minimal protection that will keep her machine safe. Freeware preferred, but willing to consider costware if it fits the situation…

Altho I probably should have, I have never taken the time to attempt to achieve the aforementioned state, and for expediency have simply installed about all the software that is professed to best protect against nefarious activities, resulting of course in likely considerable “overkill†(ie, KPF firewall, Avast anti-virus, Ad-aware, Spybot, Swatit, Spyware Guard, Spyware Blaster, System Safety Monitor, A Squared, XP Anti-spy, etc…).

So, any expert opinions on the best minimal setup for the maximum protection requiring the least tech expertise?

EDIT - actually, might also be good to look at it from the perspective of eliminating the "least tech expertise" factor for those like myself that might possibly weed out some of the unnecessary overkill packages...

 

Spybot V1.3 with SD Helper and immunize used, maybe even lock HOSTS file and homepage, SpywareBlaster, IESpyads, firewall and AV should do it. Keep updated Ad-aware and CWShredder on board as well. Put links in her favorites to online scans, to include trojan scans. And of course, a link to this board for help when/if she needs it.

 

I'd suggest VCOM's System Suite 5...........AV, firewall, some simple utilities. Costs about $65, considered by many as the best bang for the buck. Doesn't seem to foul up the rest of the system like Norton and others are prone to do.

 

There also are settings for Internet Explorer that enhance security
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/privacy/secprivessntl.mspx