Vista - Mac user 'seen the light

I've been a mac user since '84 and began gaming on a bootcamp build of WinXP 32. Got so into it that I built a killer gaming system and am running Vista home prem64.

As a mac user the various virus and infections out there on the net were no worry--- nobody was really targeting macs (though that is changing)

Now that I've seen the light and I'm loving every minute of PC computing (esp. gaming) I'm wondering....

1) What, in addition to Vista protocols (defender) and AVG free do I need in order to keep my system safe

2) What essentials should I back up to a flash drive in order to be ready for a rebuild after an attack

J

Hello Jeffatay & welcome.
Are you using the Win. firewall & / or a router firewall?
IMHO you need to have at least one antimalware program as well as your AVG & Defender.
Re backing up - files & folders & of course complete PC, both on a regular basis to an external hard drive etc
With PC safe surfing much depends on what the hand & mind are tempted to click on & thus the resulting "nasties" that are collected along the way.
Not everyone is "attacked". In ten years I have not had any probs. Hope it stays that way too!
Don't forget to update all security progs. daily if available, plus of course the MS updates.
Remember to do your computer "house work" regularly. [disk clean up, error checking & defrag.]
I'm sure this type of question has been dealt with before - a "search" may provide you with more info.
Also refer -
http://www.vistax64.com/software/115872-free-software-list-vista.html
Hope this is of some help.
Another ex Mac user.

hello:

---I personally like to use 'FIREFOX'-browser on my pc, instead of Internet-Explorer - because it automatically scans for viruses whenever I download 'trial'-games from websites---(some of my friends do NOT use any a/v for 5+yrs. and they play EQ + W.O.W. /etc and they have NO problems)---

---I use Avast-anti/virus (free online) - windows defender + firewall, (you can download COMODO free - but the pop-ups are so major bad - I uninstalled it)---

peace