Pete,
     Don't just take my word for it, check it out yourself.
Norton's website at
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/sharedtech.nsf/docid/2002021908382713?OpenD...
tells how they do updates on Wednesdays. I have researched this, you evidently haven't.
   Also, the free AVG comes with NO support whatsoever. It says that on their site. Thus, if your computer crashes after installation, you get a virus, or anything else, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. They will not offer ANY assistance to you. So, unless you can fix your system, or are willing to pay someone like me to fix your system, you better think twice before using their products.
  The "four hour" updates you refer to only update their virus engines, GUI, etc, not the definitions themselves. They do that to make you think you're getting a good service out ot them. They lie to you. Norton and McAfee aren't half as good as people think. I will not advise anyone to do something I wouldn't be willing to do myself. I will not entrust my systems to once a week updates. I will not tell anyone else they should either.
   Michaelb 15, once again I ask, DO YOU FEEL LUCKY? If not, you'd better get the best you can find. But don't assume just because you THINK it MIGHT be good just because it's popular that it is good. You can be safe, or you can be foolish. Take your pick.

It depends. Is it updating the virus definitions, or just the engine and interface like Norton and McAfee does? A good rule of thumb, don't expect to get something good for nothing. It's like the free firewall Zonealarm has. It's free, but there are know holes they will not patch unless you buy the pro version.

Hi Hagar,
  In answer to your question, Panda found the virus as soon as I opened the zip file. I hadn't begun running the exe.
  I am currently attending college, majoring in Computer Information Systems. My A+ and N+ instructor is also one of the network administrators at the university. He has switched the college to Panda and dropped Norton. He is the one who told me about Panda when we were studying viruses.
  I hope you don't have any trouble with NAV, but per their website, be prepared to pay out some money if you somehow do get a virus. $39.95 to talk with their tech about it, or $69.95 if you have them help you step-by-step.  Or you have the option of calling their 900 number for $4.95 per minute. Panda does it all for FREE, just like Norton USED to.
That's something else to think about. Why would they want to update their definitions daily? That would mean fewer customers having viruses, meaning fewer calls to their tech support, so they make less money. They can make more by NOT updating regularly. Find details at
http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/contact_phone_virus.html

Just downloaded AVG. Wicked!  Was using loads of program in the first place though. You might like these although can't remember where I got them. LOL

Adaware
Spybot : Search & Distroy
BH Blaster
Hijack this

and another one I cant remember the name of. Although before my...experiance I had none of these. My...experiance was the (has anyone heard of this?) LOP virus. VERY dangerous. Although like you are saying I didnt get it through a file I downloaded.