So, here we are. Welcome to the internet. 10-15 minutes later, you may have the first virus if you aren't careful.
Basically what I'm saying is that the internet is not a safe place. There is a massive amount of pages that may harm or install virus on your PC without you realizing it. So when you first enter the internet, don't trust every page there is, most of the homepages on the internet is completely useless, and a lot only designed to trick you into giving up personal information or to put a virus on your PC.
But don't despair, there is a few things you can do to improve your odds.
1. Make a backup of your important data. i can not stress this enough, if you don't do it, you may end up losing them ALL if you should get a virus on your PC. For a few word documents, OK whatever, but if all your vacation photos are at stake, please make the back up of them, it'll save you a lot of crying later.
2. Use common sense. if the homepage you are entering asks you to install something or click yes on a window to enter, it might be trying to put a virus on your PC, so don't just click accept or yes blindly. Open another browser window and goggle the homepage address, in general if it contains virus, others may have encountered it and written about it. Or go to a reputable virus killer site, they often have a list of sites that may cause harm to your PC.
3. Have a virus killer installed and more often than not a spy ware killer too (most of the major virus killer programs have both). Not having a virus killer installed on your PC is just stupid, so don't skip it.
4. Don't use internet explorer. it's currently the most used browser by far, and for this reason also the browser where any security flaw is immediately found and used by hackers/virus makers. Use an alternative (for example Firefox or Opera) and you'll be safer on the internet.
5. Don't surf on Porn pages ! Well, it's a fact that lots of people do this, and there is so many of these so called 'free porn' pages that install spy ware or virus. So just don't do it, OK.
6. if you don't know that much about computers, get someone you trust who do know a lot about them to help you secure your PC as best as possible.
7. Remember, nothing makes your PC unhackable, unable to catch a virus or spy ware. SO use your brain when you go on the internet.
Enjoy your trip on the internet, may it be a safe and fun one. Remember to read and learn from the internet. And if you should catch a virus somewhere, learn from it and don't do the same mistake twice.