so do NOT ever go online on a computer without a firewall running. (well, you might, but I don’t want the details, LOL)
ZoneLabs offers ZoneAlarm for FREE and it is highly recommended by many sources including on tech shows on TechTV, so you have no excuses there!
And secondly, do NOT ever go online on a computer without running good anti-virus protection, with updates and scans that run DAILY! Grisoft’s AVG is also highly acclaimed and FREE for the everyday non-commercial user, so no excuses there, either!
If you have any questions about this ASK them – ASK me, ASK anyone that might know or know where to send you for help, the worst thing you can do is NOT ASK!
I just had an experience with an install for a relative that IMMEDIATELY was infected the very first time online after Windows XP was installed on their computer.
I hated that I ran short for time after the install, because I usually <1> install XP <2> install zonealarm’s firewall <3> install avg anti-virus, download updates and set the automatic settings to both update and scan daily
Yes, folks, you can get pregnant the first time or just going once without proper protection 
< stepping off of soapbox now >