RE: Messenger avoid blocking firewall/proxy I've seen this problem in another thread ( http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=837 37 ) ... Like I said there, I use a public VPN with OpenVPN to avoid every kind of firewall ( cause it passes from the https port, and it cannot be detected...
RE: Software for a new computer and talking about Security I suggest using Simp Lite to encrypt all your messenger conversation (with the contact who use simp lite too)