I need advise before buying a new computer?

You need a router. This will act as your firewall. You might already have one? As most people know it, its a little box that enables several machines to connect to the internet.

If you use wifi in your home, you will need to use WPA encryption. WEP does not work.

When you browse the internet, firefox is a better option over internet explorer.

And the following anti-malware is recommended (all free)

AdAware

Spybot Search and Destroy

Windows Defender

Antivirus:

Nod32 (costs money)

Blink from eEye (free for US citizens) - a little more complex to manage

Someone will undoubtley post below to use Norton. I would ignore this. It is referred to as bloatware. Slows your system down by up to 50%. That would be OK if it was keeping you secure. It does not. The two pieces of software I have listed above use something called 'heuristics'. This means, if the AV software does not know about a particular virus (ie has not been sent the definition file (ie 'told about it') by the manfacturer) it can make a 'best guess' and figure out that a particular piece of software is doing something it shouldn't be doing. A must have! Most times these days you are already infected before the definition file is released - by which stage its already too late!

Food for thought.

When considering security, it doesn't matter what you are buying really. The biggest concern is your internet habits.

1. Get a computer that will do what you want it to do. Are you a gamer, graphics person, email fanantic ? Get the computer that will do what you want it to do.

2. Get an anti-virus program of your choice.

3. When on the internet or even your email, do NOT click on links from anyone you DO NOT know and even then, run your cursor over the link and make sure it isn't an IP address ie., 198.22.48 etc since most links should be to a URL address such as http://www.somesite.com./

4. When surfing and a pop-up window appears, DO NOT click the X in the upper right corner, right click the tab on your task bar for the window and choose 'close.' Many pop-up windows are a direct link to sites you really don't want to go to. That X is not functional and is just part of a direct link picture.

5. Use your common sense and with an anti-virus program to help you out, you'll never see a virus.

Sarge

Remember to vote for best answer.

Well... I've been using computers since 1982 and my advice to you. If what you want to buy contains any combination of the words Windows, XP, VISTA or Microsoft as far as the OS is concerned, there is no way to escape your security problems. Go Mac!

If computers were a car! Your top of the line PC would be a 1996 Chevy Caviler with enough extra wires to add all the bells and whistles you want. Sad thing is after you're cruising down the street listing to your bad *** stereo with LCD's in the headrests, plotting your next move on your onboard GPS and all proud about your 17 inch aluminum rims, it's still a 1996 Chevy Caviler.

I roll with my Mac and if it was a car....... ? It would be a Lime Green Honda Civic Hybrid with a lift kit and Dual Exhaust pipes with On Star and dual side airbags. Yeah !

Say no to paying for anti virus, internet security suites and firewalls and just get your PC out of the box. Get it connected to the internet via a modem and broadband/dial up account and download

Avast Home Edition antivirus

Spybot Search & Destroy

Ad-Aware 2007

Ccleaner

Firefox browser

Firefox add ons:

a) adblock plus

b) fasterfox

c) no script

d) mcafee site adviser

Find everything free u need here:

http://www.download.com/

If u use a router with that modem the hardware firewall is good else if not go with comodo firewall (free)

Install Linux OS

or Windows with Node32 Anti Spy

Antivirus, anti spyware and firewall

avesta anti-virus

isn't it advice?

my ADVICE is to learn how to spell.

i find that norton is very good