[Elspode]

I've been using AVG Free for years and I've never had a virus. I *do* use some paid for spyware/browser exploit software, but that may be more out of my paranoia following a particularly nasty such problem a few years ago, and not because AVG can't do that job equally well.

You definitely do not need to pay for any antivirus software unless you think you need a bunch of other bells and whistles, and if you do...don't spend your money on Symantec.