Can someone please tell me how i can protect my....?

i need some anti virus for my computer, and everywhere i go on the internet it lets me download it for free...and then they all scan my files and tell me how many virus threats i have..which is "253 critical errors"..then when i try to remove all of the threats..they tell me i have to pay for the rest. can someone please tell me what i can download that is totally FREE???? ur help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED...thankyou

Can someone please tell me how i can protect my....?matchless

If you want a free anti-virus I recommend in order of popularity, but please choose the right one for you (install only one):

1. AVG Free

a. A simple interface (easier to use than Avast! and Avira)

b. Can detect about 82.82% of viruses

Cons: low virus detection

2. Avast!

a. Real-time protection

b. It has an option to delete a virus once found

c. Can detect about 87.46% of viruses.

Cons: Too many icons and confusing user interface

3. Avira AntiVir

a. It can detect malware better than Avast and AVG

b. It's cute umbrella icon

c. Can detect about 94.26% of viruses

Cons: A very sluggish update

Whatever you decide do not ever get Norton, it will slow down and ruin your computer. The best anti-virus you can get is Kaspersky or NOD32 (recent tests at av-comparatives.org).