Sfdebris.net

I know i need something better than Windows Defender but am i afraid of being ripped off. You just have to google 'anti-virus software' and you will get half-a-million results and i am willing to bet half of them, at least, were slapped together to scam someone out of their money.

I have also been thinking about getting a VPN subscription but hesitate for exactly the same reason, although i guess that is what the free trial is for.

So do you have any recommendations?

I've had good results with Malwarebytes.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/

They also have a VPN (Malwarebytes Privacy), but I haven't used that.

Antivirus, malware scanners, VPNs ... they all have a life cycle. Don't stick with any one approach too long. The best advice today is probably way outdated in 2-3 years.

I vaguely recall Ars Technica doing a how-to on building your own VPN. Yes, here it is:
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/05/how-to-build-your-own-vpn-if-youre-rightfully-wary-of-commercial-options/

The specific instructions themselves are mostly obsolete now, but the basic ideas might get you thinking.