Hi Pat,
I’ve always used Windows and Office and haven’t had any trouble in years (knock wood). Not sure if this is the case with you or not, but people sometimes forget to turn on automatic updates from Microsoft - they send out periodic updates for security, etc. and it helps a lot.
Apple isn’t immune to virus and malware either and has come under more attacks in recent years. Some say hackers didn’t attack Apple because Windows had a much greater use base worldwide so they attacked Microsoft. Now that Apple has a greater usage (still not as great as Windows), hackers are attacking Apple computers - Apple internally was attacked last year.
I really like the Microsoft Surface - it’s a laptop and a Tablet - lightweight and portable. The new one is a little pricier, but the last version is fine and is on sale at many places: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-Pro-3/productID.300190600?tid=Ae0vNJgZ_dc&cid=5250&pcrid=2644190571&pkw=microsoft%20surface&pmt=e&WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=pointitsem_Microsoft+US_bing_5+-+Surface&WT.term=microsoft%20surface&WT.campaign=5+-+Surface&WT.content=Ae0vNJgZ&WT.source=bing&WT.medium=cpc
One key that makes it so nice is that since Microsoft makes both the hardware and software, therefore it does NOT have the bloatware that Dell, HP, Asus, etc put on their products. So from the get-go it is as lean and clean as an Apple. And therefore more secure. My Surface is an RT based one, however, so I cannot run regular .msi programs on it, just .appx. When I buy another, it will be a Pro. I'm waiting for the Surface 4 with Windows 10 Pro. I'll need a minimum of 16GB (are you listening, Panos?)!
You're absolutely right about the Updates. They should be on!
Quick list:
1. Firewall alwayson.
2. Updatesalways on.
3. Anti-virus alwaysinstalled (Windows 8 and above come with Security Essentials in Defender, a FREE anti-virus).
4. Enhanced Protection Mode alwayson in Internet Explorer.
5. When installing ANY software from a website, CAREFULLY review acceptance screens and UNCHECK ANY software installs that are not part of what you need!