Windows

If you're using Microsoft Windows, there are 3 recommended steps to take other then installing another Operating systems.

1. Install a Firewall. This will close all your ports from being accessible from the public internet.
2. Install antivirus software. This is the one thing worth paying for, as for one year from installing you will get the latest virus definitions (information about the latest viruses). This is important, as new viruses are released daily.
3. Install another browser like Mozilla Firefox or Opera as Internet Explorer has a long history of security incidents.