Need anti-virus download with cable internet?

This is unchartered territory for me, and will show my lack of geekness. My granddaughter just got Comcast cable internet service. During installation of the software, it said the service is protected by McAfee. She has wireless on her laptop, but doesn't have a wireless router, so the cable modem is connected to the computer with a cord that looks like an oversized phone cord. Does she need to add a good, free anti-virus program like Avast which I use or other MajorGeek-recommended app? What about if she were to use a public access wireless Internet connection away from home? Thank you.

 

Thank you, DomLuc. I forgot to ask specifically, but I guess having a downloaded AV app as well as the Comcast protection doesn't violate the rule against having two AV programs running at the same time?

 

Okay, I got it. I will work with my granddaughter to figure out if Comcast did in fact install the McAfee on the computer, and take it from there. Thanks.

 

Thanks for your advice. Talking with a Comcast tech in my hometown, and talking more with my granddaughter, I learned that, thankfully, McAfee did not get into her computer. She was sharp enough to not accept the offer of "free McAfee" that popped up each time she started her computer. She decided to go with what I use--Avast Home Free. I was not sharp enough to know if McAfee had somehow been downloaded and installed during the Comcast process, but I was assured by the local Comcast tech that it had not been.

 

I'll try to find out.

 

To answer your question about the pop-up, I decided to let you read the email from my granddaughter. Here is is:
Hey Grandpa,
Yes, I downloaded avast! after we talked on the phone. I think the pop-up just stopped showing up on its own. I'm not very computer savvy, but maybe it read that I downloaded another program. It was pretty easy, and I haven't noticed a difference in the computer speed.

 

You're welcome.