Community Opinion on Free security considerations

[watrhous]

I am seeking community opinion on what is a good free security program.
I have run Microsoft Security Essentials for years with no issues. I preferred it to AVG, Avast and the rest of the free ones since it seems to be the least resource hog.

I just recently discovered ad blockers for my browser. Are there any other 'tools' like that I have not considered that are the norm now?

Should I be considering a 3rd party firewall? Am I naked, vulnerable and unaware of it?
Or does this sound like a typical setup?

Thanks

 

[Kenneth Barker]

Your Router if it is halfway decent should have a Firewall to do some protecting. There is also the Windows Firewall.

If you don't do anything stupid, the firewalls are enough. If you are worried about doing something stupid (we have all done it, clicking on all the wrong links...) I have used and liked AVAST and BitDefender.

 

[MarkW]

Toms posted this on their sister site.
Click the link below to read the article, and the 4th link below the title will talk about the free antivirus apps.

Best Antivirus Software and Apps 2016
by TOM’S GUIDE STAFF Jun 1, 2016, 8:15 AM

 

[Dave8671]

I use avast Antivirus and have no issues. Avast can be purchased I use the free version.