Still paying for Antivirus programs for your computer? There is really no need. Several software companies offer free PC Antivirus solutions that are up to the task of protecting your computer from malware and spyware. Here are two of my favorites, Micorsoft Security Essentials and AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2013. The Microsoft product works well with Windows 7 and XP. If you are running Windows 8 consider the AVG product or simply rely on Windows Defender which comes bundled with Windows 8 and Windows RT.

All three of these offerings do the job with minimal fuss and, in my experience, use less computer resources than full price security suites, such as McAfee and Norton, that come bundled as trial subscriptions with a new PC.

Software companies offer free antivirus programs with the hope that you will eventually pony up for the payed version of their security suites. Resist the temptation. With the improved security and firewall software built into Windows 7 and 8 a free antivirus program and attention to periodic system and application software updates should keep your computer protected.