What’s the best malware protection for everyday browsing and downloads?

[HeatherMun]

I’m looking into improving my malware protection because I download files occasionally and visit different websites for school and entertainment. I currently rely on the default Windows security, but I’m not sure if that’s enough. Has anyone here noticed a big difference after installing dedicated antivirus or anti-malware software? I’d like something lightweight that doesn’t slow down my system but still blocks suspicious downloads and phishing sites. Any real recommendations based on experience?