My McAfee subscription has expired so i googled best anti virus computer protection it opened a can of worms.
Some say install free stuff but i don't mind paying for the right protection (for computer ).
Any ideas Thank you.

Windows has its own free built-in one now. Iirc its called windows defender and it's meant to be the best one

Only according to microsoft.

I recommend "zonealarm free antivirus + firewall" (just don't agree to any upgrades or trials to the paid version). It uses kaspersky antivirus which is about as good as you can get. I think the current download is HERE from THIS page

It takes both the antivirus and firewall away from microsoft who are hampered by their own windows specifications to have to leave facilities available that are not commonly;y used but add to vulnerabilities.

Networking has millions of functions but only a very small subset are used by normal internet users, it best to block as many others as possible.

I'm inclined not to trust any of these anti-virus companies. They always make me feel a bit like someone who has parked in a dodgy part of town being approached by an even dodgier geezer who points out what a tragedy it would be if your car got scratched or the windscreen smashed. However, for a fiver, your mind can be put to rest as he is prepared to watch over it whilst you are away....

My wife has had money spent on her card. The bank paid up but threatened not to do so unless we installed an anti-virus. I agreed to do so if they would pay for it. It is THEIR responsibility to guard my money and they should pay for it. They decided it wasn't necessary. Recently she was again contacted by the bank as someone had tried to massively increase the credit limit on her credit card, which she has never ever used!

I am becoming increasingly suspicious that the information leak is theirs, not ours, in which case all the virus checkers in the world are not going to help.

I'm sure some of the small scale antivirus companies may be a risk but there is too much money and too many watchers for the big guys to intentionally risk much.

Considering the histories of Microsoft and Google with regard to privacy and security, any added/alternative protection seems like a good idea.

I have absolutely no idea why Google Chrome is so popular and is probably the last browser I would consider using. I use Google's search engine under sufferance purely because it gives me better, faster and more accurate results than any other but I do it knowing full well that Google are continuously profiling me.

We and others in our family have happily used Avira free antivirus for a number of years.

Avira seems ok by default but some of the protections are switched off, if you go into settings and switch them on your machine grinds to a snail pace.

I wouldn't have anything to do with Kaspersky if I were you:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42202191

Windows Defender is quite adequate and free.

Yes, I was going to comment on that but changed my mind and watered it down to "there is too much money and too many watchers for the big guys to intentionally risk much".

The big anti-virus companies watch each others' software like hawks, one would presume that various Governments would also monitor any unusual network traffic as well.

There are no specific allegations and it appears to be a continuation of our propaganda war against Russia whom we seem determined to try to provocative until we end up with another war.

There are many things that "could" be done, using Kaspersky to spy would seem to be pointless because it would be so obvious.

Garbage, used Kaspersky for years and almost all i know do too, Its all propaganda as has been said,

TBH, the free ones are loaded with bloat, ads or hog resources, or struggle with certain infections. A real case of you get what you pay for.

McAfee & Norton are 2 that have fallen from grace and are really quite poor now, bad detection rates and resource hogs, they sell well because people know the names and they come bundled with many new PC's. Considered an instant uninstall from many IT people.

I would never recommend relying on the built in windows defender. For a lot of people it is a case of "it works because it says I don't have any viruses" when in fact they are riddled they just haven't been detected. Too many times I have had to go to fix PC's from people who rely on windows/norton/mcafee

Bit Defender is considered the best by many IT professionals, we use it at work and it is great. Personally I use ESET which also rates very highly and has a decent firewall. I also use SecureAPlus as a second line defence, although it can be a little user unfriendly, it uses virus definitions from many different AV products for a decent detection rate.

The thing is, it is not just about 'viruses' amymore. There are many types of malicious software that all fall under the umbrella of 'malware', viruses are just one of them.

There are a few tools that you can use that are good for keeping your PC healthy.

I also use Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware, a free program, Cybereason Ransomfree, also free, and Kerish Doctor for maintenance. None of them are resource hogs So the system runs smoothly.

Of course, the biggest help in preventing malware is your internet activity; dodgy websites, porn sites, scam emails, etc. are all sources of this stuff. And making sure you are on top of any security updates for windows. Also, Ad blockers will help your browsing experience. Do not use Internet Explorer/Edge.