What ever security setup you use always put some imaging software like paragon or macrium reflect so that even if you get infected somehow you can revert back to an earlier image. Also since you are in xp i might suggest to add a firewall. Try some of the firewall like online armor, comodo or zonealarm and only use that firewall which you find easy to use because if you are not able to configure a firewall properly it wont be protecting you effectively also always run your browser sandboxed with sandboxie for extra protection.
edit: just noticed you said your cousin uses torrent please tell him to stop because its the first place to get infected.