A friend just bought a laptop for home use without Norton 360 on there. I'm setting up the computer for him right now, and it's saying 'N360 will protect banking, shopping, surfing on the internet.'

I've heard of Avast? and AVG. Will they do the same job as well for free?

Thanks.

Don't touch Norton

Avast & AVG are great – if you want to pay for something else try NOD32

No. I ran Norton for a while, as I got it free. NEVER again! Slowed everything down to a ridiculous level.

Am no using Microsoft Security Essentials. Seems very good so far.

worse than a virus imho. Slowed my mrs pc loads and started charging rather sneakily.

Norton?

OK, Avast nicely installed now. What other things could I be doing to this laptop to make it work smooothely? Other than put an Apple sticker on it, ta.

another unhappy user who has removed norton from all of his computers as it slowed it down soooo much. go for avg

Norton is diabolical.

The best tune-up for any 'infected' PC is to remove it, and it might take a while….