How to maintain your computer?

AVG free is all you need and there is no need to pay anything at all. I have run it for a while after having Norton and McAfee. It doesn't slow the computer down at all and seems to catch more then the other's did. So I recommend trying it and if you like it remember its free.

A good anti virus program will save you money and down time in the long run. Depending on the program you purchase they will run somewhere in the 30-50 dollar range. Check ebay because they sometime have the same programs you purchase from the media stores much cheaper. But yes you certainly want a licensed software so that you get the updates for the new viruses that come out regularly.

antivirus, defrag and error checking and cleaning of dust once a month. Basically helped my computer survived for 10 years.

To tell you the truth, I hacked my anti virus. My anti virus is now free, and it also updates! I also run a program called MalwareBtyes AntiMalware. It really helps to remove Trojans and spyware and adware and malware. Some people do not understand the term of viruses. A virus is something that makes your computer go haywire. Trojans and malware and such are created by people to steal information form your computer and is much worse.

If your budget is tight and you have already a licensed operating system. Try the Microsoft Security Essentials.

The easiest way to rid your computer of viruses, for me, is to have a Linux Operating system installed in your computer. Just create a division in your harddrive then install the linux on the free harddrive. I prefer this way since I believe there are no viruses working on linux. If you view your folders while in Linux, you will see the viruses and you can just delete them manually.