new laptop-help needed please

[eah]

I have just bought a new laptop[advent] with Windows vista and am gradually finding out things through trial and error and reading up on the AB.I bought books on use of the internet and beginners guide to computers and am finding my way round it.I have Bt broadband which is fine for me as I am housebound and can use it all the time.I just need to know what I should have on it for safety eg anti virus etc.I think I`ve got a firewall through BT but I don`t know what Norton is....Also do I just buy Microsoft Office for home use-I really only need Word.Are there any other things you would advise?I`ve downloaded Itunes and BBCiplayer and 4oD so far as a few examples.Many thanks for all your help in advance......[just a trainee silversurfer.......]

[Ethel]

You do not need to buy Office if what you have fits your requirements.

In any case if you find only Office will do, because you are sending and/or receiving Office files to be accessed on other computers, OpenOffice is free, downloadable and fully compatible.

I thoroughly dislike Norton and believe it slows the computer by hogging too many resources.

I recommend a firewall - ZoneAlarm or Comodo
An anti-virus - AVG or Avast
Anti spyware - AdAware AND AVG antispyware (used to be called Ewido).

All are free, and all can be safely downloaded from here:

http://tinyurl.com/y83v23

Except Comodo, downloadable here:

http://tinyurl.com/la95f

I admire you for getting to grips with Vista.

By the way - OpenOffice downloadable here:

http://tinyurl.com/f4t79

Although if your laptop has come with Microsoft Works, the word processor is now fully compatible with Office Word.

If you do decide to remove Norton, let us know and we will guide you through it.

[eah]

Many thanks for such a detailed answer Ethel.I`ll try all those...