For those of you using Avast antivirus software (the FREE one)....

Once you install in and enter your registration key, is it working or am I required to go in and "set up" things? Sorry, but I don't know much about it and I don't want to venture too far out on the net if I don't have protection at this stage.

I use Avast and it's great... In the lower right of your screen, in the icon menu, there should be a blue circle with a lower case 'a'. Mouse over it, and it should say something like "Avast on-access scanner: 7 providers total, X running". Mine happens to have 6 running, the 7th provides protection for Microsoft Outlook email processes but I don't use Outlook so I have it disabled. As long as on-access scanner is enabled you should be protected.

Its is working once you install it..but then you should go in with the reg key and register it eventually.

I really like Avast.
If you are using Windows, make sure that you have your Windows Firewall checked.