AVG v Malwarebytes and Windows Defender

RonBin79 · 18 Jul 2012

I am running windows7 Home Premium together with AVG 2012 (Paid version) plus Malwarbytes. I was recomended to run Malwarebytes in addition to AVG by a ('Computer Expert'...) he told me that whilst AVG stopped virus, it did not stop malware but Malwarebytes did. I am not so sure so would apopreciate some clarification on this point, do I need both??

I saw a Microsoft programme called "Micorosft Defender" which I tried to download to (A) to a memory stick but this failed and then to a DVD and after that a CD, all of which failed.

At one point a got a screen which said I could get Defender from the security section in my control panel in Vista but as I am not runing Vista, that's no good.

Any constructive comments or advice will be grately appreciated.

Regards, RonBin79

Phone Man · 18 Jul 2012

I never heard of "Microsoft Defender" but Windows 7 comes with "Windows Defender" and it shows up in Control Panel. When you install another AV program (AVG) it disables "Windows Defender" as it is duplicated in the other program. Malwarebytes is a very good program that runs along side of your other AV programs and has its own way for checking on the bad guys. Microsoft also has "Microsoft Security Essentials" which is a combination of "Windows Defender" and an AV and could be used instead of AVG. Running AVG and Malwarebytes together is fine.

Jim

RonBin79 · 18 Jul 2012

Thank you very much for your valued advice Jim. My licence with AVG expires in December 2012, so I will stay put until then. Once that finishes, I will change over to Microsoft Essentials which will save me money and cut down the number of programmes I am running.

Thanks again,

RonBin79

arizonajack · 18 Jul 2012

RonBin79 said:

Thank you very much for your valued advice Jim. My licence with AVG expires in December 2012, so I will stay put until then. Once that finishes, I will change over to Microsoft Essentials which will save me money and cut down the number of programmes I am running.

Thanks again,

RonBin79

I haven't paid for an AV in many years, too many good free ones out there.

Last year I did some research on free AVs and found that Microsoft Security Essentials ranked with the top AVs.

I activated it on my Vista computer, and now am running it on my Seven computer.

I also keep Malwarebytes, Spybot Search and Destry, and Super Anti Spyware on my computer but I don't run them in real time I just run a scan periodically with one or the other to see if there's anything that MSE missed.