New LAN user needs laptop security assistance

From: J44XM (j44xm_at_seventy8.n_t)
Date: 06/13/03 

Date: 13 Jun 2003 07:12:17 GMT

Hello and thanks for reading. I'll try to keep this short.

I just bought a basically-new Toshiba Satellite 1415-S173 laptop (1.8 GHz
processor, 30 GB HD, 256 MB RAM, Windows XP Home) and I am using it to
connect to my university's LAN. I unfortunately just had a brief brush with
a couple of viruses (now apparently eliminated), so I wanted to ask you, the
experts, directly: What do I need to keep my computer safe?

Do I only really need anti-virus and firewall software? Can you recommend
high-quality software, preferably (but not necessarily) try-before-you-buy
shareware? Since I'm a college student, I don't have much money, so
expensive solutions are out; but I'm certainly willing to spend a bit to
ensure my data's safety. Also, is it safe to keep my LAN connective active,
or should I make it a habit to connect only when I'm actively using it? (I
like streaming music ...)

Any advice you can offer will be very, very much appreciated. 

-- 
J44XM (#seventy8.net)

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