What's the best -- and least expensive -- security software?

I'm an old guy who's just entered the 21st century.

I've just spent a few hundred dollars on a laptop. If that was in error, sorry, but it's done. It's not the fastest or the strongest. I'm on a dial-up phone line -- i'm told that's slow, but I'm in no real hurry. All I'm interested in is wandering around the internet, getting and sending emails, that sort of thing.

What's the best and least expensive protection I can get for my computer. I had the trial edition of Norton. My nephew disabled it and said I could get free protection programs. He installed AVG. He also installed Firefox saying that I don't need a lot of bells and whistles. He seemed to know what he was doing.

All I'm interested in is protecting my little investment from those out there who send junk mail, and who break in and steal information off computers or plant destructive programs on them. Do I have to subscribe?

That's where I am. Where should I go from here? Remember, I'm pretty non-technical.

Thanks

What's the best -- and least expensive -- security software?antivirus programs

Using Firefox instead of Internet Explorer is a good start.

Then at the minimum you need an antivirus and a firewall. My suggestions are:

Antivirus: Avast 4 Home Edition: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-...