I have not had the problems on my laptop and the only difference is I have Avast on my laptop. So I guess that speaks for itself.
Without a doubt! I post at several forums, I can honestly say it is very rare to work with a person and their infected computer who is running either Avast or Avira, very, very unusual. If it happens it seems to be on a computer where the person has two av progrms installed and running at the same time...doesn't matter what ones either...lessens protection immediately when that second av program is installed because the two programs fight each other and something slips in. We often see infections with McAfee installed and AVG or MSE. Others not as much but best protection always results from either Avira or Avast.
You know the program, it's changed of course but since you are familiar with it in general you should do just fine.
I'm on my way out for a bit.

If this Avast scan is clean then go ahead with the installs of the other security programs. I will be back later.