Prevention is the best and no Antivirus software or Internet Security software can keep your devices clean like your good habits with Internet and your device. Your habits and your activities on devices and Internet are best prevention you can do.
~snip~
I think it's better to have a reliable security solution on every device that has access to the internet - so although many people disagree, I've always used a top rated security suite on my devices, which includes protection against viruses, malware, phishing and of course a firewall.
I would describe it this way: when you surf the internet, no matter how careful you are, you can always pick up something malicious - so the second line of defense is the security software on our device. To put it figuratively, it's like having a door on your house that is closed, but if it's not locked then there's always a risk that someone will open it without any resistance.
For people like the OP, such things are something about which there should be no doubt - because we read stories like this in every bull run.