Are these enough to secure my connection?

When I try to find a list of what I have to do to secure my connection to the internet I get a lot of advice from "Installing an Antivirus program" to "disconnecting the computer from the internet"

I wonder if these are enough or there is something else:

1. An antivirus program
2. An spyware program
3. A firewall

or perhpaps I don't need all of them?

You do really want all three of those programs because they each protect from different things. With those three pieces of software installed and activated you should be fine, but just make sure you're still careful with your browsing. It's also really important to make sure that you keep the software as up-to-date as possible, or you'll see the latest problems not being caught by them.

Thanks edwinbrains. I will follow your advice.

I have just installed ZoneAlarm and found out that WindowsXP has a firewall of itself.

Is it a full feature firewall or not?

Not really no, but it's better than nothing. I would recommend running something like Zone Alarm Pro or Sygate Personal Firewall (both are free, if memory serves).

--Simon