Brand new to Linux, just testing out Ubuntu. In WinXP I use Symantec Corp/Kerio FW/Ad-Aware/Diamond Process Guard/East Tec Eraser and Window Washer for my security needs.

As I am new to Linux I have NO idea what security solutions are even out there let alone what are the best ones to use. Can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks for the help = }

You don't need any. Just never run anything as root and keep your packages up-to-date and learn how to configure your firewall. That's all. No need for anti-spyware, anti-virus, anti-something else

Firestarter and Guarddog are both GUI frontends that make configuring your firewall much easier.

As for anti-virus, it's rare to have virus troubles on a Linux box, but despite what some would tell you, it can happen. As I said, not likely, but remotely possible. Clamav is a decent anti-virus app for Linux. I've been running Linux for 10 years and never had a virus problem and don't run any anti-virus except on servers.

Linux is very secure in itself. As long as you aren't running as root I wouldn't worry about it too much.