Free antivirus programs are certainly not better than any other. They are practicable and decent, but some paid antivirus programs are so much better. Kasper sky is great, as well as Nod32. Twice and free anti-virus programs, but not without nominal fee. Protections ware programs are another story. Ad Aware, AVG Spy ware software Spyware Doctor, Spy bot search and Destroy and SuperAntiSpyware are all great free AntiSpyware programs.
The most important thing, however, is your behaviour. If you behave properly, you don't have any type of anti-spyware or anti-virus programs. The problem, it is almost no one on the internet behaves properly these days. In both cases, if you are not ready to pay, I recommend using one of the programs mentioned free antivirus (AVG or Avast preference) and a couple antivirus programs (which will be actively blocking software spyware, as well as to run complete analysis of your computer at least once per month.) The second will be used for analysis complete spyware secondary with the first.
Also, you must monitor your behaviour. Don't click on links in your email. If you want to go to a URL someone (even someone you know) you sent, type out the URL in the address bar. Be very careful about downloading what. You should make absolute sure that it is safe. Web sites can infect your computer with Active X controls, also be very careful what Active X control let you when navigating.
Most of the computers is infected by clicking on the links to popular social networks like Facebook and MySpace sites. Avoid watching pornographic sites, since most adult sites asks the user to download a codec to display video files downloaded and spread spyware in the computer.
Most of the computers is also infected by software such as Limewire P2P. Limewire, infects most P2P software prey with spyware/malware software, which in turn will mess up your system incredibly. There is an older version of Limewire that contains no spyware. However, its systems you download music to be the main source of Virus and spyware help wasting time and your system.
When you download a track of Limewire, you downloading off the coast of someone from another PC, in turn they could be infected, pass the infection to you. Also, with that it is P2P, they will have access to your system and all the music that you, not very safe hey!
If you want to download music, I propose to do so off the coast of a legit, for example, such as iTunes or HM V music site this way your music getting pretty cheap safe and remaining in the process. There are even a few curiosities that, for a small sum, allow you to download songs as you want for 28 days.
My advice is keep safe, even if its an old PC you do really care. Acts of piracy were really clamped down, and you never know, officers could come knocking on your door.
The author is the analyst of viruses and spyware and has worked with technical support from symantec. For more detail in http://www.geeksjunction.comlogon