Using AIM,Yahoo and MSN messengers safely

I will be helping someone on a win 98 that uses AIM,Yahoo and MSN
messengers. How do I check for safe operation of each,i.e.
viruses,spyware etc.
I don't like telling people what to run on their computer but would like
to explain how to safely run their computer.
I will do the usual virus update and scan,spyware and adware removal.I
will do the general cleaning of temp files ,scan disk and defrag[using
ME defrag]
Thanks in advance

see the list below, and add cool web shredder

Definition:: Instant messaging service: Online update site for spyware and
virus

Set the file transfer of each messenger to "Off: or "ask for every file",
MSN at least has the option to integrate your AV into its shell and scan any
transferred file, perhaps the others do too

--
Adaware http://www.lavasoft.de
spybot http://security.kolla.de
AVG free antivirus http://www.grisoft.com
Etrust/Vet/CA.online Antivirus scan
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Panda online AntiVirus scan http://www.pandasoftware.com/ActiveScan/
Catalog of removal tools (1)
http://www.pandasoftware.com/download/utilities/
Catalog of removal tools (2)
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/n...aspx?CID=40387
Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts file
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
links provided as a courtesy, read all instructions on the pages before use

Grateful thanks to the authors/webmasters
_


"Joe K" wrote in message
...
I will be helping someone on a win 98 that uses AIM,Yahoo and MSN
messengers. How do I check for safe operation of each,i.e.
viruses,spyware etc.
I don't like telling people what to run on their computer but would like
to explain how to safely run their computer.
I will do the usual virus update and scan,spyware and adware removal.I
will do the general cleaning of temp files ,scan disk and defrag[using
ME defrag]
Thanks in advance