How do I buy stocks?

Good day! I'm curious about the process of buying stocks. Could you walk me through the steps? Do I need to open an account with a brokerage firm? And what kind of information do I need to provide? Additionally, how do I determine which stocks to invest in? Is there a specific strategy or research I should do beforehand? Also, what are the fees and charges associated with buying stocks? Lastly, what are the risks involved and how can I mitigate them? Thank you for your time and guidance.