It’s Christmas morning, and the idyllic holiday tableau that was your living room not an hour earlier now resembles a dumping ground. Torn wrapping paper, frayed ribbons and open boxes lie strewn about. Most everyone’s thoughts have turned to the big meal ahead.

Not yours. That new computer you’ve longed for and just unwrapped still has bits of packing foam clinging to it, yet here you are wanting desperately to plug it in and get online even before you’ve changed out of your pajamas.

Maybe that childlike eagerness was excusable in the 1990s, but today it’s just dangerous. Electronic beasties like viruses and worms constantly roam the Web looking for new meat — and your fresh-out-of-the-box computer suits their tastes exactly. Industry analysts believe new, unprotected computers can acquire a virus within four minutes of first going online — five times quicker than a year ago.

Worse, user haste doesn’t bode well for computers as they age. Treating these complex devices like a home appliance increases the likelihood they’ll be replaced by next Christmas, a costly prospect.

Be smart and save yourself from a disabling case of electronic distress. Follow these safe-computing tips for a happier holiday and a techno-savvy 2005:

First, read the owner’s manual — Yes, this sounds boring, and everyone surely has better things to do. But nowhere will you find more valuable information about your new computer than the manual. They’re not the dry documents they once were — they even have pictures. Most computer makers include electronic versions stored in their devices with Web links to "Help" files for more detailed guidance.

Get a surge protector — Plug one of these into the wall outlet, then plug the computer's power cord into the surge protector. They guard against power surges from storms and power outages that could damage the computer. In fact, it's a good idea to plug all rechargeable or corded electronic devices into one of these protectors, but don’t plug in too many; they could overload the outlet.

Activate the firewall — It blocks most electronic pathogens from invading your computer, so get one in place before going online. New PCs running Windows XP should have Service Pack 2 already installed, and SP2 includes a firewall that should start up with the computer. (Older Windows devices have them, too. To set it, open the "Control Panel" and look for "Network Connections.' When you right-click on your connection, a window opens. Click the "Advanced" tab and click the checkbox for "Internet Connection Firewall.")

Apple's Macs also have built-in firewalls, but they first require activation. To do that, click on the apple in the upper-left corner and go down to "System Preferences." Then click on "Sharing," click the "Firewall" button and click "Start."

Download all system updates — Even new computers may lack the latest software updates because they’ve been in the box a few weeks. These updates frequently contain patches and fixes that boost performance and seal system openings through which viruses could migrate. Windows XP asks that you download and install updates upon start-up; you can make it automatic through the “Windows Update” feature in the “Start Up” menu. Macs also can be set to download updates automatically through the “Software Updates” feature accessible through the Apple icon.

Activate an antivirus program — Virtually all new computers have an antivirus program preinstalled; all you need to do is register it online and set it to download the latest virus definitions daily. Typically, the initial registration lasts between three months and a year and costs anywhere from $20 to $60. That may sound like a lot, but when you figure a computer service call to remove a virus can cost you three times that for labor alone, a few bucks’ worth of prevention definitely beats emptying your wallet for a cure.

Avoid Internet Explorer — Microsoft Corp.’s ubiquitous Web browser creates unending problems for users because virus writers find more ways to compromise its security than a summer breeze finds ways through a screen door. The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant has no plans to overhaul the browser soon. Avoid the hassle and use IE just once — to download the Mozilla Foundation’s free Firefox browser (http://www.mozilla.org) as a substitute. Firefox is better-built and less prone to attacks than IE.

And while you’re visiting the Mozilla site, download and install Firefox’ companion e-mail program, Thunderbird, which also is safer than anything Microsoft makes. (You probably have either the Outlook or Outlook Express e-mail program preinstalled on your new computer. Avoid them, too.)

Conduct routine maintenance — Computers aren’t like home appliances; they’re more like pets: You take good care of them, and they’ll always be loyal and dependable. Too often, however, people consider them in the same league with toasters — and then wonder why one day they don’t work as expected. Periodic maintenance does wonders for dependability. Here are a few things you should do yearly, monthly and even daily to keep that high-tech tool working for you, instead of the other way around:

-- Pay attention to the way a computer behaves. Does it freeze up on occasion? Is it operating too fast or too slow? Do you hear unusual noises when it’s running? Do error messages keep popping up? Signs such as these may be precursors of more serious trouble.

-- Check routinely for “spyware” and “adware.” These programs sneak into computers while users aren’t looking as “drive-by” downloads as you surf the Internet. They chart your behavior online, and too many of them can slow down systems, even cause them to crash. Programs like “Spy Sweeper” and “Spyware Doctor” can keep these uninvited guests in check.

-- Clean up the hard drive. When computers install files, they don’t do it neatly. Pieces of programs can be scattered across the hard drive like tossed birdseed. Occasionally, too, new programs will “push aside” older ones, causing further fragmentation. Windows XP has a “Disk Defragmenter” that gathers the bits and pieces and stores them in one place (Mac users must use a separate program like Disk Warrior to do this), thus improving a computer’s performance.

Use your head — Nothing stops trouble like a nice, thick application of good sense. Don’t download software willy-nilly; ask around before trying something new, and read up on name-brand software to learn about potential quirks. Change your Internet passwords every two or three months — and don’t write them on Post-It notes and paste them up where everyone can see. Keep abreast of online hoaxes, and don’t answer unsolicited e-mail; it may very well be spam or some sort of “phishing” ploy.

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And NO its NOT a cup holder!!!

I just got highspeed and it uses IE. I will take your advice as soon as I get back from the Eve Festivities! Thanks. You are always the Computer Dude in my book!!

Well, that took less than 2 minutes....thanks again BH!!

I actually have a CD I made that has firefox , sourceforge , spybot , and pretty much every alternative to microsoft software .

I install everything on that , and then I install mcafee firewall , then go online . ( I did that for this computer Im on now - works great )

Nice guide for beginners!

And remember that your History records what naughty websites you look atwhen your girlfriend/wife isn't aerround, so remember to delete them on a daily basis.

On a serious note, if bleeding heart isnt around I welcome any computer-related questions via PM, i'm a moderator at one of the largest computer forums on the net http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/ (under the same name as here) so my credentials are good.