Just use the built-in Windows defender and don't do anything stupid.
- Never click a link in an e-mail you don't trust. Type the address of the site yourself instead.
- Never open an attachment from a source you do not trust. Many e-mail providers already scan attachments but still do not open attachments unless you are sure of the source.
- Stay away from sites that are known to cause problems, i.e. many porn sites and any site in an e-mail or online add that looks questionable.
I have never had any virus or malware on a computer. I work in IT and use computers 16 hours/day and have owned computers since 1985.
Agreed with your comments, including on Windows Defender. Similar background. Appalling waste of money for all the bloatware, Norton in particular.
Good experience with WD and it blocks all threats thus far after 5+ years.
From time to time I do run a registry cleaner and do a deep cleaning of files/cache, but otherwise I have neither had a virus or malware since abandoning XP.
Too many people are click-happy. Being in IT, you know the cause of most of your problems: Users.