1. Diversity is good, consider Linux, Mac etc before Windows.
2. Create installation/recovery disks. Many machines do not provide these any more, they are on a partition, which you can accidentally make disappear.
3. Install from scratch if you can. Leave off all the bloatware that comes with many of the new machines. Typically the apps aren't needed anyway. (create a new recovery disk at the end).
4. Harden the system by removing any unnecessary components.
5. Buy a few years worth of AV/AS protection. Many people use the AV that comes installed with the machine and don't realise that it expires in three months or so. Also install a software firewall - yes, they aren't that great but it's better than nothing.
6. Create a normal user account and an administrator, don't use the administrator user.
7. Make sure all software is auto-updating.
8. Make a backup.
9. Get alternate browser, again diversity is good. Consider Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, .... It's a sad world if 70% of it is vulnerable to the same bug.
10. Secure the browser: e.g. firefox: install the add-ons NoScript and CookieSafe.
11. Grasps the concept that warnings are to be read and understood, not clicked on to get to what you want to do. Such ignored warnings can cost a lot.
12. Learn internet safety. Your bank will never send you an email asking for passwords. Emails asking for money, or spinning sob stories should be ignored. Your credit card number is NOT a verification tool. Don't send chain letters etc, you get the idea.
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