So I just got a new laptop, a Sony Vaio, if anyone is interested, and I need some anti-virus software. I know there are some great free ones out there, I just don't know what they are. My mom wants me to install Norton (Ugh...) but I'm not gonna cause in my past experiences, it slows down my PC and it's not all that great. SO, what are some good anti-virus programs?

Screw Norton. You want to download two things.

AVG Free edition

Microsoft Essentials (Anti-Spyware/Malware program. Also free)

lol I use Norton and it does full system scans and disk optimizations all day, even while I play games, and it doesn't slow it down much at all. I love having a powerful computer.

Also it makes my bed and makes sandwiches for me and cuts the lawn. Norton is beast. XD

...yeah it is a resource hog if you don't have an uber PC because it does do a lot of stuff. I had been using AVG Free edition on my old laptop for a while and I agree that it's a pretty good antivirus for free.

I use Norton, but since my computer is a beast... It really doesn't get in the way.

For a low profile, yet powerful antivirus, I would say AVG.

Microsoft Security Essentials if you're normally pretty safe. It's not the 100% best, but it works well and integrates with Window's Defender or whatever it's called.

I'd recommend AVG free. I've used it for years and as long as you practice safe browsing, it'll keep you protected.

Microsoft Security Essentials if you're normally pretty safe. It's not the 100% best, but it works well and integrates with Window's Defender or whatever it's called.

AVG Free edition

AVG is the best of the free anti-virus software.

Normally I'd totally agree with the panda bear on this one... as I use those in conjunction with CCleaner, but from what Maximum PC says, Norton has really gone to great ends to change it's image and it was one of their two highest rated anti virus softwares in their april edition shootout.