Vista - Security Necessities - Free

Alright, security is the most important thing about an OS these days with the interwebs and all. So, I need the bottom line. I need to know the best free A/V and Firewalls available.
So far I've come up with this from reading the forums:
Antivirus : Avast
Firewall: ZoneAlarm

I was all happy about Comodo until people started talking about the Ask Toolbar they install.. and how Comodo is no longer all that trusted.

Thanks for any help or suggestions

Comodo is still a good firewall - just make sure you do not allow the Ask toolbar ot be installed.

Eset Nod32 is the Industry Expert #1 choice, but it's not free. It's fairly cheap but not free. When it comes to security, I don't go for a free product if it's not also top quality. I was an Independant New/Unknown Varient tester for the AV Industry for over 8 years so this is from experience.
Comodo is ranked #1 and is always free, and just say No to that darn toolbar...what was Melih thinking on that one...(Melih is Comodo CEO)
ZoneAlarm is a decent firewall but it's not in the same league as Comodo Firewall Pro is. Same with Avast compared to Eset Nod32, Nod's heuristics is second to none and generate ZERO false positives and their central scanning engine is still one of the best and quickest with small resource usage.

Kaspersky Internet Security is available for a short time free after rebate at frys.com.
I'm very happy with that so far.

It will cost you shipping charges and 2 postage stamps for the rebates to get your $75.00 cost back. So, not quite free, but pretty close.

Here is what I use. Combined with TrueCrypt encryption and UAC promting for credentials i consider my computer pretty secure

Firewall - Comodo™ Free Firewall Software Download

AV - Free antivirus - Avira AntiVir

I have never understood, people are willing to spend good money on a computer, but dont want to spend any money to protect that investment. Especially since you state that security is the most important thing. Why skimp then ?

Ya get what ya pay for...

Because a computer is a one time cost, whereas Internet is not - and neither is Internet security.

Very, very few security programs are not on some sort of subscription service.

And, in this case, there are more than a few anti-malware programs that work jsut as well in free version as in aid - the major change is usually either something like active scanning or automatic updating.

I guess, personally I use ESET's offerings, which I pay for on a annual basis for 5 systems. It just seems to me (not nessarially the OP) that to many people are into the I deserve this free attitude.

It is not a matter of "I deserve" free, not always - sometimes it is a matter of "I cannot afford any more".

I am single, no kids, and spent a nice chunk of change building this machine. However, if I had kids and had to worry about health insurance, after school clubs and activities and sports, daycare, putting food on the table, etc....I am pretty sure the money I had lying around to invest in computer care products would be better suited to taking total care of the family.

Granted, maby I am just to jaded by reading slashdot....