What's the best anti-virus software for someone who isn't tech-savvy at all?

I recently purchased a Toshiba Satellite Touch & I’m already having a lot of pop-up issues. It came with Norton but I was advised to get rid of that asap so I did. In my ignorance I just did a quick search of top rated security programs & got the free trial of the one at the top of the list. Mcafee. Now I’m regretting it. Every time I go to internet explorer I get a screen full of shady looking pop-ups telling me to update this & that. Since I am absolutely clueless as to what to do from here I figured there are probably quite a few people in the collective who could advise me on these matters. Please be aware that I am the epitome of novice when it comes to tech. I need software that keeps my computer safe from everything, including me. I try not to go to high risk sites but from what I understand a virus can be put into pretty much anything. Is there software that doesn’t cost an arm & a leg but gets the job done? What software should I get?