I have used AVG for about four years now with no problems.

I recommend to use Mozilla Firefox as your browser and Mozilla Thunderbird for email. Internet Explorer and Outlook/Outlook Express are magnets for virus attacks.  I have been messing Google Chrome browse a little and like it just fine, but am not sure it's any better than Firefox. I like the ease of use of Firefox, as it seems to have the best features of the old Netscape, Internet Explorer, and some of its own that make it very appealing.

Further, scrutinize emails closely before opening any attachments or embedded links. Better yet, don't. If you get an email from somebody like Pay Pal, Ebay, your credit card company, or bank, for example, and that email has a link in it, DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK! Instead, go their official website and log in from there. It is just too easy for somebody to invade you from elsewhere disguised as a legitimate email.