First, you should visit the microsoft.public.windosxp.general (or similar) newsgroup on the server msnews.microsoft.com. Browse through the postings looking for information on malware of all types (not only viruses, but spyware, trojans, etc.). Here's what I've learned:
- Norton is the barnacle of the software world. To remove it, you not only need to use's Symantec's sooper-sekret removal tool, but, to be sure, have to manually scrub your registry of residual traces.
- Norton, in the past, was a significant resource hog. The recent version is reported to be considerably better in that regard, but Norton's reputation amongst the experts is so irredeemably tarnished that no one trusts Norton any longer.
- McCaffee is no better than Norton in all regards.
- AVG is following the Norton path - getting more and more bloated.
- In addition to a good AV program, you need a hardware firewall (i.e., a router).
- No AV program is perfect and none will fully protect you if you routinely visit dodgy sites or open unsolicited email.
I, personally, use Avast.