How to keep a computer ';off the grid';?

I'm going to buy a new computer pretty soon and was just wondering how to keep it under-wraps. So no one can tell what I'm downloading, or if my laptop is stolen, no one can break into my data.


I know TOR is pretty popular, but from what I hear, you have to disable a bunch of plug-ins to use it efficiently.





I don't have too much money, so if there are any free encryption/security programs, or one that cost very little, that would be best.


Thanks for any help!How to keep a computer ';off the grid';?
you can try to use some free vpn's like hotspot shield,it will encrypt all your out-going connection from your computer once you connected with their server,it will be much faster than tor and simple...


google ';hot spot shield';....