I have a little experience with Linux, got a book and loading it on a desktop and a virtual machine on my laptop to practice some more.

If you have questions maybe I can help, IM me.

You can run Ubuntu and other 'user friendly' versions of Linux from CD. Just put the CD in and select that option and you can use it without even installing anything. It's runs slower, but it's the best way to learn it without messing with multiple OS installs...

For someone with your computer skills I recommend you stick with either Windows or Mac OS and quit going to suspect sites or clicking on suspect email attachments.

I work on computers for a living, and virus prevention/removal is a big part of my job.

You don't need to pay for AV software, AVG Free is as good or better than the stuff you have to buy.

In my experience having Norton software on your system is as bad as having a virus it hogs resources so much.

Absolutely DO NOT run more than one active AV program. One AV will think the other is a virus and vice versa. They ultimately will bring your pc to a crawl.

As far as Linux, if you are willing to go through learning it (and it isn't hard at all), you pretty much will never have to run AV software at all. Also it is free, and software for it is free. The one downside is some Windows apps won't run well on it, particularly games. If you are a PC gamer, Linux is not for you.

If you don't game on your pc, you will be able to do everything you can do with Windows on a Linux system, and in a lot of cases do it better.

I currently have a dual boot system, I boot to WIndows 7 for gaming, and boot to Ubuntu for everything else. I haven't had to clean a virus for myself in years.

Good luck!

If someone never tries something new they will never learn. Linux distro's are free so its not going to cost alot.

So ive read alot and watched alot of youtube on Ubuntu And LinuxMint. Which is recommended for me? I dont game on the computer if that helps. But the whole process of getting it on a disk confuses me. Also, can I put it on a flash drive?

What's wrong with windows?

Nothing. Some just like to complicate things. Get a good anti virus, any will do, really. Keep it and Windows up to date. Use a hardware firewall. Use Firefox, with A_!!D B!ock Plus, No Script, and Safer Fox plug-ins. Do not surf porn or gambling sites, and do not click ads.

What's wrong with windows?

I dont like it. I much prefer Mac OS over windows and want to try Linux because I hear its good. And I like to learn new things. I don't like to complicate things, I just like to try new things and learn as much as possible (i.e im a nerd  ) And I got another virus today. Good thing Norton caught it and I wasn't watching porn, clicking on email links etc.

A nerd that can't keep from catching a computer virus....hmmmmm.

My recommendation, get a crackberry.

Its a family computer, so its not just me. Mainly its my sister trying to download stuff for The Sims 3 using Limewire. Which is inevitably where the one today came from. It was downloading while I was on here