What to do berfore going out to the internet for the first time?

[fmonte]

I just built a new computer. I understand that you have to have certain protection before going out to the internet for the first time. Please explain step by step. I have my old computer that I can download the necessary software programs to add to the new computer. Thank you. Frank

PS. In regard to Virus protection, I have always liked AVG free but if it is a mistake to use it, please let me know.

 

[PohTayToez]

AVG, Avira, and Microsoft Security Essentials are all good free anti-viruses.

BTW, just connecting to the internet isn't going to automatically get you a virus. You can connect with the new computer and use it to download one of these with little risk.

 

[fmonte]

Thank you, so is AVG free and Windows Firewall enough?

 

[trewyn15]

As long as you're careful you really don't need a whole lot, I'm not running anything for internet security but I also know what not to click and make sure I am on the right sites all the time.

Chrome and FireFox are both browsers that are good for blocking popups and will help you to know when you're on a phishing website that can potentially steal your information.

The programs listed above are good though if you're new to the internet and are not sure what to look out for!

 

[fmonte]

Thank you, can you tell me how those 2 browsers alert you that there is phishing. In other words does something pop up to tell me to stop or do I have to look for an icon on the page or what?

 

[strollin]

AVG, Avira, and Microsoft Security Essentials are all good free anti-viruses.

BTW, just connecting to the internet isn't going to automatically get you a virus. You can connect with the new computer and use it to download one of these with little risk.

This isn't entirely true although MS has patched quite a few security holes in Windows so it is less of a problem then it was in the past. Around 10 years ago I was setting up a Win 2000 server, got the OS installed and internet connection working then went to lunch. When I returned from lunch, about 10 viruses had infected the machine!

 

[trewyn15]

Thank you, can you tell me how those 2 browsers alert you that there is phishing. In other words does something pop up to tell me to stop or do I have to look for an icon on the page or what?

Firefox will show an image like this:

and Chrome will show this:

There are similar ones for other things, but both of those browsers will display a page before you go to a suspicious site.

Personally Chrome is my favorite and tends to be a little quicker and less of a memory hog.