Antivirus Advice

OK /tech/,

So I need antivirus advice.  I've been using Avast free, but in the last 2 weeks or so, it's let a trojan, a few bits of malware, and a couple nasty tracking cookies I'm trying to clean off right now.  I'm getting a new laptop anyways that should be here in like 3 days, and I'd like to keep it clean.  Willing to fork out some money to keep it safe.

inB4 laughing at me for trusting Avast free, I'm a broke college kid.  I'm looking for a better one now.

TL;DR antivirus software suggestions.

By the way, I'm on here instead of /g/ as whatever the hell is on my computer right now is blocking me from uploading pics.

Don't say tl;dr: it makes you look like a noob.
Saying inb4 is bad enough; inb4 in >>1 is just asking for trouble.

Just backup important files onto some DVDs, a secondary hard disc, or some other form storage. Then, reinstall Windows and stop visiting scummy porn sites. Alternatively, install Linux and worry about those problems no longer.

When I used Windows, I think that I had Spyware Doctor and AVG Free, along with the Google Chrome web browser. There's often warnings about mixing multiple forms of security. Eh. Don't think; feel: That is Tanasinn.

I converted to Linux accidentally when I meant to install it as a partition but instead formatted the entire disk. A few weeks later, I came out for the better. Why not try Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, or some other newbie-friendly distro on a spare computer? You don't have to worry about trojans or tracking cookies or anything.

You can also transfer files via ethernet. That is a fast way of sending files. The nice thing about new computers is that you can format them without loss. So, if you get your problem again when sending over files, you can easily wipe them off.

I can second the suggestion to move to a distro like Linux Mint. Why not just burn a Live CD and give it a go? There's no permanent changes to your PC, and if you find yourself interested, but need to save files, you can install to a USB drive too.

Mint automatically includes codecs and Flash player, has one of the best distro UIs and really does 'just work'.

Malware bytes and Hitman Pro are good choices to get rid of any spywares. Otherwise you need to manually remove the infection. Costs $60+.
to be safe, its always better to keep softwares up to date, esp: java, adobe etc...

I, too, second a linux distro idea there. An advice I thankfully implemented couple of years ago.
A little heads-up (for any prospective windows-to-linux converters), though: You will have difficulty playing your pc-games(esp. the newer ones). Linux will frequently invite you to the command-line, though scary at first, soon, you'll realize you've been empowered; and, no, it's not MS-DOS! Finally, yes linux is much safer than windows, but you will have to understand how to protect your system; as on any system, but no linux documentation will ask you for money and rarely will show you ads.
So, even if you've sorted out your "current" problem on Windows, do a dual-boot today.

If you don't need any special windows softwares (games mostly), it'll be pretty safe to move to Linux. I would also recommend mint, I'm using it right now and it runs very smoothly.
You have WINE to be able to install some windows software, but not runs.
On the other hand, you have a lot of alternative. One of the software you're probably using is WLM, you have emesene, pidgin, amsn, etc... that are alternatives.

With Linux, you will never get a virus, unless you actually allow it to run. Everytime you or a software want to change something to the system, you have to enter your admin password.
In linux, it's also VERY easy to install software, they're all in your repository most of the time.

For example, let's say you download a "virus" file, if you wanna run it, you can't without choosing to make it executable first. Then if you do make it executable, you have to launch it, then you have to enter your password. You can't just download something that looks like a JPG or whatever (like most viruses) and actually run a malicious script.

http://www.linuxmint.com

I messed up something lol sorry

I meant:
You have WINE to be able to install some windows software, but not everything will run smoothly.