Some ?'s for new system, specifics on security

[scooterguitar]

I appreciate your help in advance! Been awhile since I had a mac...and then I wasn't too versed with it.
1. I know I don't need to use virus protection and such, but do I need to enable the firewall? If so, what box do I need to check to protect myself from people on the internet stealing paypal info, etc? I don't care about protecting it from people in my home.
I set up another non admin account (per suggestions), but I am unclear...it prevents things from downloading via prompting for admin info, but I'm unsure if this is what I want...Say I want to download a program/app from Apple's downloads page, will it prompt for admin always...so would it be pointless if I have no clue if there is malware attached/contained in that file?MY ? would be, how can I automatically block suspected malware/virus,etc such as I have with security programs on PC? I have read both views over and over on it not being needed and it being needed. I am more worried about making my financial info safe when I am using it online, is this a firewall thing or other? I could use some detailed help on this please

2. Without adjusting display ratio, is there a way to make the fonts always larger without always having to resize, such as menus, safari windows, etc? Tried the suggested links below, can't find anything, but I do recall reading on here that there is no way to have it automatically set. This screen is so big and the std. fonts are little.

3. What do I need to do keep the computer running healthy/clean? Empty trash, clear cache, passwords, etc? Anything else you might suggest?

Thank you so much for your time and help

 

[spinnerlys]

http://guides.macrumors.com/Mac_Beginner's_Guide

Firewall - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1810
found via http://www.google.com/search?client...oe=UTF-8&redir_esc=&ei=4UCQS-nmB5mO_Aa52ID6DA

And MRoogle will answer you many of your questions.

Also have a look at the following links, as the information presented there might be helpful in your future endeavours into Mac OS X and could clear up initial confusion and may even prevent harm to your system or your files.

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/ - text

http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/ - videos

http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/ - text

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343-keyboard - shortcuts


The thread title guy strikes again:


A more descriptive and precise thread title will help cater to the right audience and get you more responses. Yours is even hard to understand, except you use some kind of code in there.

To edit your thread title, just click on the

button on the bottom right of your original post and then click the "Go Advanced" button below your message.
Have you also taken a look at MRoogle, since that question may have been asked several times?


from the forum rules:

Minor Problems

3. Thread titles.

Use thread titles that indicate the subject of the thread, not generic titles such as "Need help". Moderators may change thread titles that have no specifics, usually by adding something more specific in parentheses.
https://macrumors.zendesk.com/hc/en-us#Minor_Problems

 

[John Doe 57]

3. What do I need to do keep the computer running healthy/clean? Empty trash, clear cache, passwords, etc?

10.6 Snow Leopard Link:
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11582

10.5 Leopard Link:
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/joel.barriere/dl/105/OnyX.dmg

10.4 Tiger Link:
http://www.titanium.free.fr/dl/104/OnyX.dmg

4. What basic apps are a must for this newbie?!

http://www.mactricksandtips.com/2008/01/top-100-essential-mac-applications.html