Bottom line is to know what you're doing with your pc. Clicking randomly on things and opening attachments blindly are the most common methods of getting infected.
As brk-int states, get a dlink/netgear/linksys/etc router in between you and the rest of the world and that will do more than any of those security programs will ever do. Also, know what attachments you are opening and where they came from, if there's any questions then check with the person who sent it before opening it, I have done that many times.
Those firewall/security programs are a waste of money IMHO, never used them, don't need them, never had a problem. I even use Internet Explorer all the time and just pay attention to what I am doing.
I love those so called experts, creating all that fear I think they are supported by the companies that develop the software they are always raving about.
Always use virus software, just not the full package they scare you into buying.
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