I strongly recommend you check out the Computer Help Forum (linked below). You'll find that they recommend several FREE and very good anti-virus programs.

Avast is one. It's a free download. You won't have to pay for Norton.

Here is a link that might be useful: Computer Help Forum

If you go to the Computer forum they have some great ideas. I have Avast which is free, but after having it for a year did buy it for a good price. There are many good anti virus programs, I had trouble with Norton 360, but DH really likes it. I use Malware for removing stuff off the computer and there are other programs. Good luck.

I use the free AGV. I never had good luck with Norton.

I have Trend Anti Virus and really like it!

My computer tech told me to use the AVG free antivirus. I would "never" have Norton again.....had it twice....they put hidden files in your computer that only a tech can remove and those hidden files will conflict with a different antivirus if you want to switch to something else. I'm very satisfied with my free AVG. I wouldn't have McAfee either after what computer techs told me.

There are several good anti-virus utilities. I am running Norton Internet Security Suite and can recommend it.

I had used McAfee in the past, but dumped it about 3 years ago when it began to bog down my computer. The uninstaller failed while removing the software. I had to manually clean my computer. After a uninstall, ordianry left over files can be manually deleted. The real culprit are leftovers in the registery. That can foul up the next attemp at intalling another ani-virus. That had to be cleaned by hand. There are 2 choices of uninstallers: The resident one in Windows, or the unistaller that came with the utility. At this moment, I can't tell you which one is the best to use. You'll need to research this to find the best one. Whichever one you choose, it must be able to thoroughly clean the registry.

And one more caution: I recommend that your computer and monitor be plugged into an UPS (Uninterruptible Power Source) when you perform an uninstall of any virus utility. A power glitch duirng the uninstall can lead to problems. The uninstaller may crash.

Stay away from Norton and McAfee. They both take over your computer, and the free ones are often better than either of these.

I use Avast, and have used AVG in the past. They are both free and both very, very good. While you're at it, you should install SuperAntiSpyware. Avast and SuperAntiSpyware perform different duties.

Whatever antivirus software you end up choosing, do be sure it updates regularly, weekly or even daily. New viruses are created all the time, and if you don't update regularly with the new fixes, last month's antivirus software won't protect you against today's new virus.

AVG (from Grisoft) is an excellent free antivirus and they have a more robust pay version available. I prefer it to Avast, but it's good too. Avira AntiVir has a loyal following too. There's a lot of free programs out there and in reality, if you keep them updated and use them properly, they'll all serve you well.

McAfee is, well, McAfee. I wouldn't use it on a bet. That's one that I've had so much trouble in the past that I wouldn't use it, but in fairness, I haven't used it in years so they may have changed. Norton still is a fine program but it's not as user friendly as are a lot of others. People with limited computer experience don't understand it and that causes a lot of trouble. Historically, amateurs liked McAfee and pros preferred Norton. I quit using Norton about 7-8 years ago. Been using AVG for 10+ years on various machines. It's standard equipment on all machines I set up and has been for a long, long time.

Now let's clear up some myths. Especially this one about Norton taking over your system.... Did you know that's for your BENEFIT?. Many viruses, spyware and malware programs will go in and turn off your anti-malware programs. By having it deep in there like that it helps to prevent that from happening.

The ones that chant conflict seldom know of what they speak. For many years I ran 3-4 antivirus programs, just not all at the same time. When I was with the PI firm and handling a lot of sensitive data I couldn't risk infections so I'd run a minimum of 3 AVs on any attachment.

Anyone that says only a tech can remove Norton is full of crapola. Period. But it makes for good gossip doesn't it? With McAfee and Norton both, you simply run the removal tool you can download from the manufacturers' web sites and it's pretty much automatic. Far worse is the way AOL embeds itself into a system. Or at least how it used to worm its way in. That program did truly approach a virus-like embedding.

And the fool that says you can't get malware from dialup? Spray her in the face with a water bottle and ask if she's been eating paint chips! Totally untrue!

An antivirus is only one part of a layered security approach to maintaining a safe computer. You should have a good firewall and I like Comodo. One of the easiest and most effective ones out there.

Don't forget to get Windows Updates regularly. Especially if you use the swiss cheese of browsers and mail clients - Internet Explorer and Outlook/Outlook Express. You're begging for trouble by using them but many refuse to secure their systems.

Antivirus has been covered. Keep it updated.

Anti-malware. Malwarebytes is one brand of antimalware software. I prefer Spybot Search and Destroy and A-squared but I keep Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware on my machine for an occasional backup check. Ad-aware used to be my program of choice but I stopped using them a few years ago.

Ccleaner is an excellent program for cleaning up your machine and Iobit's Advanced SystemCare is an excellent program for both cleaning and tweaking your system.

WinPatrol is an excellent program to guard your system. It'll tell you when things are added to your startup, changes made to your browser and more.

Another important thing is use common sense. Don't believe everything you get in an email for one thing.

Any important documents should be backed up regularly in a variety of forms. That way if you have one bad backup you won't lose everything. I don't have sympathy for people who keep their entire lives on the computer and then lose it to corruption or theft. Again, common sense.

You should do disk checks, clean out temp files and defrag your machine often. All this helps keep a machine performing better.

If you use Opera and customize it, you can back up your settings with Operafly. Firefox can be backed up with Mozbackup and FEBE.

Any program with a built in backup, should also be backed up regularly if it's of any importance to you.