What Pc Protection Do I Need?

[kelfoan]

I have purchased a new desktop(Windows 8.1) and have installed AVG and
C- Cleaner which i have used previously. Could anyone advise me what other protection etc I should also download I have read about Malwarebytes and Adaware amongst others. should i have these aswell? Dont really understand each products use so dont know if they can be used together. thanks

[redman41]

All we have protecting our PC is Malwarebytes Free Edition, along with Microsoft Security Essentials (Free).
Does the job for us

[VHG]

Windows 8.1 comes with Microsoft Security Essentials built in (as part of Windows Defender).

But if you install AVG it switches Microsoft Defender off.

The Malwarebytes free product is an "on demand" product (so it will only run when you ask it to) so it is not protecting your PC in real time like AVG is.

But it is worth having this on your PC as it is useful to run it now and again or if you think your PC has a problem.

CCleaner is also an on demand product so will only run when you ask it to (this is not really a security product more a "tidy up" product).

I used to run Adaware years ago but have not done so for ages so I have no idea what extra it brings you.

In your situation I would say AVG, CCleaner and Malwarebytes would be enough.

Note there is an "Acton Centre" in windows which tells you what security software you are running so it is worth looking in there now and again to check all is OK.

http://www.7tutorials.com/introducing-windows-8-how-use-action-center-keep-your-system-secure

[Alex_Higham]

CCleaner is also known as 'Crap Cleaner'.

I consider it to be a lot of Crap because it is a Registry Cleaner and all such programmes can do irreparable damage to a computer. There is Not any need to have a Registry Cleaner but you do need to have an Anti Virus and an Anti Malware programme. However, it is important to only have one of each; any more will cause conflicts with possibly drastic results.

[EDDIE51]

Get rid of AVG and just rely on MSE defender, which you get automatically with W8.1
Make sure you fully un-install AVG or AVG and defender will 'fight' each other as each thinks the other is a virus.
You only need malwarebytes so just ignore adaware.

[TTG]

Create a restricted user account and use that to surf the net.
Install the adblock plus plugin.
Don't install Java unless absolutely necessary.
Switch off the flash plugin if installed (switch on when needed).

[kelfoan]

Thanks for all helpful answers

[VHG]

>>>>CCleaner is crap because it is a Registry Cleaner

CCleaner is NOT just a registry cleaner, it does all sorts of other things.

I don't like registry cleaners, and I use CCleaner, but I have NEVER used the registry cleaner part.

CCleaner can, for example, delete all the temporary files stored by Windows and all sorts of applications.

Windows, browsers and most applications save details of last web sites visited, last files opened and so on.

CCleaner can get rid of all of this with one press of a button.

CCleaner also has a "Drive wiper" section which can securely wipe a hard drive if you want to sell or give away a hard disk or a whole computer. It can wipe just the empty space on a hard drive, or wipe the whole drive. Very useful.

So CCleaner is NOT just a registry cleaner.

[BlueToffee]

Download the free version of Avira, that's my recommendation.