Anti Virus, spyware, trying to do it myself

I bought my new laptop, and rather than have the Geeks at best buy do a set up, I'm hoping that you all can guide me to what I'd need to have and do to start out on the right foot. Point me to the best 3rd party software, I guess!

This is the laptop I bought
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8119822&st=HP+6125&type=product&id=1158319080012

And, I've also purchased this wireless Linksys router
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8119822&st=HP+6125&type=product&id=1158319080012

Of course, the Geeks made it sound as though I'd need them to set things up "properly", but I've been convinced by this forum to ask for help from you all in order to do it myself. So, I'm going to give it a try!

Any helpful hints to set up the WPA connection, networking my Desktop, or the like will also help. I'll post up in networking of course too!

Thanks in advance...

Kevin

 

When setting up wireless security on your router, do it from a wired computer (even if it's your laptop, just make sure the lappy is plugged into the router). This way, when you make wireless security changes, you can still access the router.

As for anti-virus and spyware, for great, free programs I can recommend the following:

AVG Antivirus
Ad-Aware Personal
Spybot Search & Destroy

All free, all top of the line at what they do.

 

Thanks Miller. Yes, I've done some reading about the AVG, Ad, and Spybot free software today. Seems those, and a few more, will get me going.

As for the wireless security, I'm sure I'll have more questions! So, plug the laptop into the router AND the internet when creating the WPA?

Kevin

 

The WPA security will just be between your laptop and your router. You don't even have to have the internet hooked up to your router. You can set up the WPA for a simple wireless network. And, yes, when setting it up, make sure your laptop is plugged into the router. Once it is set and working, you can then use your wifi on your laptop and it will be secure.

 

In set up the WPA code. FIrst you need to use your manual that came with linksys. Plug-in your desktop or laptop to router either one.

- Find IP of your router 192.168.x.x and type it in IE or Firefox. It'll take you to the control page of the router.
- then look to the part where it says security or sth like that (i'm not linksys user). set up a wep key.Choose 64bit wep key and try to make the WEP key simple and easy to remember. It's hard to hack through so don't worry about your neighbor hack your system through wireless.

Then depends on who's ur DSL service you might need to set up your internet connection in there otherwise it might not connect. or sometimes the connection drops, you can firgure out what to do in the router to make it work.

I'm using SBC ATT , they require me to have a email account and a password to log in to get online. I have to choose PPopE setting in router and put in my user name and password , then click apply to connect through internet.

So, your DSL provider's cd is not necessary to install in your system because u're not using direct modem - computer connection.