Security question: Alternative to Norton 360 Antivirus?

Hi Apple friends,

My computer is an M2, 2022 MacBook Air and I'm using Sonoma 14.2.1. 

I was about to add Guardio to my extensions but thought I better ask the experts what to use instead. My search for an alternative started after a horrible experience with Norton 360. After signing up, I started getting tons of phishing text messages, especially the one about a package having arrived at the post office for me but needing more info in order to deliver it. Norton gave me an email address to which I now forward all the messages, but if anything, I receive more of them than ever. 

More directly, Norton made my computer life miserable. It blocked important messages and websites that I knew were safe and that I'd relied on for years and it made screen share impossible. I found myself having to double my computer time to deal with all the hassle.

I tried customizing it but it was just too clunky. Ultimately, I ended up turning Norton Antivirus off completely. MacWorld rates it in the top 4 security software, but for me it was $300 for nothing.

I need reliable but reasonable security. Or do I? One Apple rep told me I don't need to add security to my Macbook but that if I wanted, I could use some sort of Anti Malware software and run that once in a while.

Opinions? Suggestions? I am grateful for them all.