[tlug] AV Preferences for Android

[CL <az.4tlug@example.com>]

My wife's Softbank phone is Nearly Dead and up for replacement.  There 
are a number of reasons why a "change providers" response doesn't work 
here so let's clear that off the table here and now.
She's opted for an Android-powered スマホン chosen exclusively because 
it was a nice size, folded, and came in a color she likes.
The Softbank drone got extremely pushy over the "offer" of a "McAfee Web 
Security" option (498円/mo).
I seem to recall several recent horror stories about McAfee products 
causing entire portions of other countries' webs to crash or to 
facilitate the hackling of certain types of accounts, and that it makes 
small processor hand helds run slower.  Or is that in the "they all do 
that" category.
Anyway, Softbank gave my wife some story about all phones needing 
protection in order to ensure the safety of the Web and want to know how 
she intends to play her part if she doesn't sign up for the McAfee 
product.  (They actually pulled the "You have to secure the safety of 
the group by joining it" gambit.)  In my WIN days and now in my WIN VBs, 
I use "Avast!" and never have had a problem.  They also offer a free web 
protection product for Android which I am thinking of loading into my 
wife's phone.  I have never heard any reports of the Avast! product 
being hacked, killing any networks, or slowing down hand helds ... but 
that may be more from not actively looking than from reports not being 
there.
So:

1.  Can anyone confirm / deny the rumors I seem to remember about 
McAfee, before I go through my ZD and com.com archives again?
2.  Does anyone have an opinion about McAfee vs Avast! vs something else?

I've played with 1.6, 2.0, and Ice Cream Sandwich in a VB and think I am 
conversant with the basics of the Android OS.  I have not found anything 
else in the AV / Web Security apps lines that I like better, but I am 
willing to look.
--
CL