[wayneman50]

I have a brand new Dell Windows 10 PC. I read geekstogo’s “Answers to common security questions - Best Practices”. I am still left with some questions about anti-virus and anti-malware programs. I currently have installed: Avast (free version), Malwarebytes (free version) and of course Windows Security.  I have changed none of the settings in any of them. Regarding the Malwarebytes, I am not clear: should I purchase the real time protection or not? (The vendor is only confusing me more by informing me: "With Malwarebytes offering protection and peace of mind in one lightweight, affordable cybersecurity program - what more do you need?") Do I need real-time to protect against malware or will that functionality interfere with Avast? And is Windows Security interfering with anything? Do I need all these?  Your recommendations please.

 

Thank you.

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Hello,

 

When you install Avast Windows security automatically turns off to avoid conflicts. Personally I believe Windows security is all you need in windows 10. It's how I run my machine.The less 3ed party software the better for windows. I don't do any risky surfing, visit weird sites or anything. I use the computer for work, a bit of shopping and some banking. I'm not much at risk and feel confident the way my machine is set up.

zep

[zep516]

Hello,

 

When you install Avast Windows security automatically turns off to avoid conflicts. Personally I believe Windows security is all you need in windows 10. It's how I run my machine.The less 3ed party software the better for windows. I don't do any risky surfing, visit weird sites or anything. I use the computer for work, a bit of shopping and some banking. I'm not much at risk and feel confident the way my machine is set up.

zep

[Gary R]

If it were me, I too would ditch Avast and just use Windows Security.

 

See ... https://www.bleeping...ing-users-data/

[wayneman50]

Would you ditch malwarebytes too?

[Gary R]

If I were using Windows Security for my real-time-protection, then I would keep Malwarebytes, but use it only as an on-demand scanner.

 

It's neither necessary, nor good practice to have more than one defensive program offering real-time-protection, however a stand-alone scan, that you can use when you believe your computer may have been at risk, is a useful thing to have available.

[wayneman50]

If I uninstall Avast from Apps & Features, is that sufficient to get rid of it? I read somewhere on “Answers to common security questions - Best Practices” that that may not completely delete it.

[Gary R]

Personally I'd use Avast's Uninstall Utility to remove it ... https://support.avas...tivirus-Utility... it generally does a better job.

[wayneman50]

I'm following the steps. When I get to "Restart your computer in safe mode?", I respond "yes". I then get a message "Your computer will now start in Safe mode". I click OK. Nothing happens. I tried it twice. So I read the instructions on starting in safe mode manually, but it states You may be asked to enter your BitLocker recovery key. I've never heard of bitlocker, but I looked at it on my PC and it is Off. So I shouldn't need a recovery key, right?

[Gary R]

You'll only be asked for a BitLocker key if you have encrypted your hard drive. If you haven't then you shouldn't be asked.

 

BitLocker is Microsoft's built in Disk Encryption software, which can be used to encrypt your hard drive if you wish to do so. Personally, I recommend to people that they do not use it unless they have a compelling need to do so, because if things go wrong with your computer, it makes recovering things almost impossible.

[wayneman50]

Ok. Do you know why the Avast uninstaller is not restarting my PC? Do I now have to go with doing it manually?

[Gary R]

Yes, you're probably going to have to boot into Safe Mode manually ....

 

For W10 ... https://support.micr...pc-in-safe-mode

For W8 or 8.1 ... http://windows.micro...tings-safe-mode

[wayneman50]

Before I uninstall Avast, I just remembered that in addition to using it for anti-virus, I also use its Software Updater function to check for and update out of date software. Can you recommend another software to do that function?

[Gary R]

I use Patch My PC ... https://patchmypc.co...pdater-download... it's simple to use, and has not given me any problems.

 

Usage instructions can be found at ... https://patchmypc.co...r-documentation

[wayneman50]

I followed the instructions up to:After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

 

I clicked Restart. Now the PC seems unresponsive. I have a blank screen and the power light on the monitor is going in and out. The power on the PC shows On. I have clicked the mouse and pressed Shift and Enter. Nothing.

[wayneman50]

I followed the instructions up to:After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

 

I clicked Restart. Now the PC seems unresponsive. I have a blank screen and the power light on the monitor is going in and out. The power on the PC shows On. I have clicked the mouse and pressed Shift and Enter. Nothing.