Anti-virus Software: Is It All the Same?

Let me begin by saying that I am not particularly computer literate. I recently caught a computer infection, described as "malware," even though I have an up-to-date AV program running. 

I have been using Norton 360 because it's a very well known name in the business. After Norton missed this particular piece of computer poison, I sent an email to a friend who is a software developer and manager of very large networks. 

She sent me a link called ninite.com and told me to download two free programs.  She explained that I could pay if I wanted but both were free. One is called SuperAntiSpyware and the other is called Malwarebytes. Since that time, between the two programs, it has located a bunch of things like tracking cookies, malware and some other stuff that I can't begin to explain. I also keep Norton in place because I have already paid for it. 

As my friend explained, it's always better to take a layered approach to defending against these invaders. Based on what I've seen thus far, free may indeed be as good if not better than the paid programs.