Antivirus
Antivirus
I agree with Avast, another solid option is AVG Free. Be sure to use the free version instead of the trial if you decide to go that route.
Many folks here, including me, think Norton is just as bad as the malware that harms your system. It's heavy, drains resources and produces more false alarms than anything else. Plus you're paying for the hassle. There are three main options, all free: Avast, Microsoft Security Essentials or just basic antivirus plus common sense. Personally, I don’t run antivirus anymore since the last big security update. It was more trouble than it was worth and I usually stick to familiar sites anyway. Just avoid clicking on obvious spam emails about a prince in Nigeria, suspicious web ads and other odd internet stuff. And always be careful with downloads—packaged files can be tricky, especially if you ignore the warning and install something you don’t need.
Norton consumes excessive system resources recently. Its performance isn't superior to Avast or AVG, which are completely free. Keep in mind that the strongest defense comes from being mindful of how you use your mouse.