Hello, I just bought a brand new beautiful computer. Here is my issue: I now have internet service, and I want to download virus protection from a site. BUT- how can I get onto the internet, go onto the virus protection site, and download the protection, before I have any protection to begin with? Do you know what I mean? If I go onto the internet with 0 protection, how long will it take before "they" get me? Will my computer be ruined before I can download the protection? Here are my system components: -Asus A8V Deluxe Via K8T800 Pro Socket 939 Motherboard -AMD Athlon 64 3400+ Socket 939 CPU -Fanner Tech AMD K8 Cooler Fan -Soyo Mid Tower Case w/350Watt PS p

I would say that if you went directly to the site, there is very little chance of picking anything up. However, should that occur, your new virus software should trap it. Be sure to get the free Spybot and AdAware programs also. Larry

Read this ... Study: Unpatched PCs compromised in 20 minutes (CNET - Aug 17, 3004) Partial quote: Don't connect that new PC to the Internet before taking security precautions, researchers at the Internet Storm Center warned Tuesday. According to the researchers, an unpatched Windows PC connected to the Internet will last for only about 20 minutes before it's compromised by malware, on average. That figure is down from around 40 minutes, the group's estimate in 2003. i_XpUser

XPUser is correct. I read the same article. The only reason I said go straight to the site is that you indicatred you wanted to download an antivirus program. It would be much better to purchase one at a store or download one to a friend's computer, burn it on a cd and then install it on yours. But if you must go online, go straight there with no side trips to your favorite sites until you get the darn thing installed and up and running. Larry

Hello Katie, I strongly suggest Trend Micro's PC CILLIN, Home Version. In all the years I have had it, I honestly cannot remember one virus getting past it. I never had it crash my system or conflict with anything. It's fast and doesn't slow down your computer like many do. It will auto-update the virus indexes several time a week, so you can forget it. Plus, now you also get their excellent firewall in the package for $50. They have an anitvirus program that comes with it also, but it's so-so. Better off using Seawatch's suggestion and use free Lavasoft Ad Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Spyware Blaster. Go here if you are interested: http://www.trendmicro.com/buy/us/personal.asp Buy it Online, download it and install. Burn your copy that you downloaded to a CD and you have a permanent copy. I just updated mine from PC Cillin 2000, and the upgrade was only $25.00. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime; Then industry pollutes the water and kills all the fish.

A few weeks ago I installed Windows on a new hard drive, anti-virus & a firewall. I connected to the net to update the AV program and in less than 20 seconds, my firewall (Zonealarm) popped up stating there was possible hacker activity on my machine. I would get an AV & firewall programs installed BEFORE going on the net (as stated by Response Number 3).

Make sure your XP firewall is enabled before connecting to the internet. SP2 it's automatic, SP1 you need to turn it on. "I know that I'm mad - I've always been mad..."