You darlings are so kind, thanks for the advice I will go and download them all and protect myself to the fullest this time. Wondering though sweeties, will any of them conflict with each other or conflict with Avast?
While I have personal success with Norton NAV/NIS, there's been such a flock of complaints, I no longer recommend it.
If/when it dies, I too will go to one of the above.
Make sure you have a good firewall first.. like the free ones joeboard stated. I personally have Sygate. All of the stated programs are "good" and quite reliable.
As for interfering with Avast!, the only program I know to do this is Norton Internet Security (and most likely other Symantec Products).