any tips to help people from "unknowingly" download threats onto their pc??

I use Norton Symantec endpoint and it will automatically alert me if anything is suspicious and or virus infected, so it will not allow the hazard to come through. I have been using it for almost 5 years now and have to say I am very happy with it. I gives me daily live updates and I find it very reliable. The other thing too a new user should always do is research and check online before downloading anything really onto their pc before they download to see if there are any complaint reviews and this can be done on cnet which I find to be a very resourceful website. Sometimes really for a brand new computer user it will be the errors that will allow them to learn all the ins and outs in becoming a more proactive user. However, the world of malice is increasing on a daily basis so new and or old we simply have to be cautious and or learn along the way.

I'm using Avast antivirus and Comodo as a Firewall. AVG is also good but many people abandoned it when a few years ago it blocked a Windows system file that shouldn't have been blocked (each antivirus from time to time can give "false positives" that means it's considering a virus a safe file) and I switched too, but it was a mistake and I think it's still a good program. Since the majority of viruses and malware comes from the internet I also use Sandboxie. It's like running your browser (or any other software) in a "virtual sandbox" that will be deleted every time you close the program or anytime you do it manually if you prefer that option. This is a kind of program not many people knows but I think it's one of the best solutions. If you're interested, you have to read carefully how to use it, because if you forget that things will be deleted when you close the browser you risk to lose things you've downloaded so it's important to understand how to set the recovery tool and when you download something the program asks if it has to be saved on the real hard disk or not. That also help to have your browser cache and settings always clean reducing crashes. For more info, you can check the site: http://www.sandboxie.com/ The program is shareware but the free version, with a bunch of limitations, works good as well. You don't really need to upgrade. I hope it helps

Hi DanBEn, I agree with other responses and also feel that complete Internet security software is best one. I use Kaspersky Internet SEcurity and have never faced any problems. But i suggest you to have a look at this article which have some tips on computer security and spyware details. http://www.boddunan.com/computers-a-technology/36-security/18135-security-threats-and-computer-security.html

Some free/trial software that you download from the internet include toolbars such as search boxes that it integrates into your browser. If you have multiple search boxes on your browser this is a bad sign. These are tools that they use to spam your computer and sometimes invade your privacy (keyloggers). Before installing free/trial software, read instructions first or the best way to avoid it is to never install free/trial software.