Free, Effective PC and Mac Antivirus Protection

Every computer is susceptible to viruses and there are many options for us protect our personal data data. Programs like McAfee and Norton typically come preloaded on any new PC you purchase and offer 30 day free trials, but is it worth forking over the $20-$50 a year for these mainstream Antivirus services? "Free" options are out there but few offer your computer any significant protection from viruses and spyware.

Avast has been around for years and offers truly free protection for your PC. They have a  paid subscription that adds many cool features like secure remote PC access, firewall protection, and a data "shredder", but the free account is more than enough protection for the average user. I have been a user for over 3 years now and have been quite impressed with its capabilities. It even has a Chrome extension that warns you of potential threats before you access a web page. Check it out!