Do I need an antivirus on my PC....?

rybosix said:

I repeat I'm using Avast, MSE-D, and Malwarebytes. Since I tried cloning and cannot boot from ext. clone--- as you or others stated is the case ---my intentions are to do the image thing on the ext. HD.

Again, to me all of the above is an abvious no brainer, for operating a Windows OS PC. Malwarebytes has found two more potential detrimental sites.

I cloned every mac I've owned and once had copy all data from clone back to original.. I'm not clear what the differrence is between clone and disk image. Hope to try that out in the next few days.

This may help to explain the difference between cloning and imaging. (Or not. )

clone or image.? - Malwarebytes Forum

But I'm confused about your use of "MSE-D". In your first post (#14 in this thread) you stated, "... I helped my wife put in place MS defender Essentials couple of years ago." Just so we're talking about the same thing, Windows Defender is included in Windows 7. It is primarily an anti-spyware module and NOT a full anti-virus suite. Microsoft Security Essentials is a full anti-virus suite and is a separate download. If you install MSE it should automatically disable Windows Defender. (To add to the confusion, Windows Defender is also provided in Windows 8, but it is the same as MSE in Windows 7.)

Windows Defender - Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows

Avast and MSE both provide real-time scanning/monitoring. Most "authorities" say that running two real-time anti-virus programs at the same time is bad. (This does not apply to Malwarebytes because it's not a traditional anti-virus.) A pretty good explanation of why two real-time AV programs should not be run at the same time is here:

is it bad to run multiple antivirus programs? - BleepingComputer.com

If you have real-time scanning enabled in both Avast and MSE, I think it would be to your benefit to choose one and turn off real-time scanning in the other. But if you're using Avast and Windows Defender, you may find that Avast has also disabled Windows Defender as being redundant. It's perfectly OK to have other AV programs available in your malware arsenal but run them as on-demand scanners, not real-time scanners.

And if I've completely misunderstood everything, my sincerest apologies.

This may help to explain the difference between cloning and imaging. (Or not. )
clone or image.? - Malwarebytes Forum

The first reply to the persons question by Rj, states that people boot from a clone. That is true with macs, and I repeat here again, not true with my clone, and others have stated the same. PC's do not boot from a clone". I given links to some old application that may help some PC's be able to boot from clone, but that route looked to iffy and complicated to me. I would love it if it worked, no detrimental side effects and simple.

But I'm confused about your use of "MSE-D". In your first post (#14 in this thread) you stated, "... I helped my wife put in place MS defender Essentials couple of years ago." Just so we're talking about the same thing, Windows Defender is included in Windows 7.

My wifes PC and my PC are both using MSE- Defender(?). Both are W7. Hers was a new Toshiba at the time, mine is used PC with Ultimate 7 replacing Vista. Mine does a funny blip on desktop when starting---according to my professional PC operating step-son ---.all workds fine for most part.

It is primarily an anti-spyware module and NOT a full anti-virus suite. Microsoft Security Essentials is a full anti-virus suite and is a separate download. If you install MSE it should automatically disable Windows Defender. (To add to the confusion, Windows Defender is also provided in Windows 8, but it is the same as MSE in Windows 7.)
Windows Defender - Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows

Oh Ok, so it appears I'm not using Defender. I recall some confusion with this with my wifes PC, that being my first introduction to PC W7 OS. Thanks for making the clear to me. Now I'm unclear wether I should turn it on and use it in addition to my MSE?

Avast and MSE both provide real-time scanning/monitoring. Most "authorities" say that running two real-time anti-virus programs at the same time is bad.

Yeah I understand that and addressed it previously in this thread--- or maybe it was another thread---the best info I've read says that Avast and MSE play well together, that has been my experience also, ergo other than MSE may be doing a redundant function to Avast, I've seen no problems in running both.

(This does not apply to Malwarebytes because it's not a traditional anti-virus.) A pretty good explanation of why two real-time AV programs should not be run at the same time is here:
is it bad to run multiple antivirus programs? - BleepingComputer.com

Thanks, and yes I understand that Malwarebytes malwares is not AV and has not conflict problems with MSE or Avast either. Again, I use all three together and not aware of any problems, nor have I read of any problems doing so.

If you have real-time scanning enabled in both Avast and MSE, I think it would be to your benefit to choose one and turn off real-time scanning in the other. But if you're using Avast and Windows Defender, you may find that Avast has also disabled Windows Defender as being redundant. It's perfectly OK to have other AV programs available in your malware arsenal but run them as on-demand scanners, not real-time scanners.

Why it is too my benifits to turn off either MSE or Avast and not run both has not been made clear to. I repeat, in general I'm aware and understand it may be problematic to have two AV's operating realtime to guard computer.

And if I've completely misunderstood everything, my sincerest apologies.

Apparrently I have misunderstood the differrence between Defender and MSE. I remember that being the case 2 years back on wifes PC. This used one mine already had MSE installed and i thought that little castle with flag was called Defender.

Thanks again for making that clear, just not sure why what or where Defender comes into play if a PC has MSE. I think MSE was intended to replace Defender. I dunno. Defender almost seems like and irrelvant reduntancy to me. I dunno.

Again, those 3 are running fine on my PC, with no obviously apparrent conflicts. Perhaps i'm using a little more CPU, RAM etc and being reduntant,in having both active at same time. I dunno. Not a biggie for me if the latter reduntancies are occurring.

Perhaps my W7 OS is getting all confused somewhere because of MSE and Avast both being active. I'm not aware of information specific that issue i.e. I dunno if it exists. I had MSE first and when I heard about free Avast and free Avast having no conflicts with MSE, I installed and run both together since-- two months or so now.

Thanks again for your concerns and additional clarifications Mars. I love W7! and think Defender serves not purpose being on my PC. R6

I would never go online without an AV but my Brother in Law did for 5 years without getting a virus. He never went to any sites that are you know"bad". He does us an AV now.