My recommended setup

As you may know that recently there are lots of vulnerabilities about nearly everything (Microsoft IE, Sun Java Realtime, Realplayer, Flash, etc.), please note the followings:

WWW browser: highly recommend Mozilla Firefox 1.5 (the latest), or 1.07 (not the latest but stable). Only use IE for banking or visit trusted IE-specific website only. If you have to use IE, please add a Google/Yahoo/Netcraft toolbar and get Microsoft's antisypware beta.

Windows: update to the latest security patch of Windows/IE/Outlook Express for home machines.

Flash: update flashplayer to ver 8.X

Java realtime: update to Sun Java 1.4.2.09 or 1.5.05 depends on your limitation. If you have Microsoft Java, make sure it is ver 5.00.3810.

Apple Quicktime/iTunes: update to Quicktime 7 or version included with iTunes 6.

Realplayer: update to Realplayer 10.5 Gold version.