PC Protection

I've spent a lot of time in my college's Computer Repair Lab testing various anti-virus/security suites. We have tested just about everything on the market.
The fact of the matter is this, anti-virus/security suites are not worth paying for. Stick with the free stuff unless there are particular features that you feel you just have to have.
Think of it like this, anti-virus systems are always a step behind the designers creating the newest viruses/malware/etc. They aren't preemptive and can only deal with threats that are documented. Make sense?
It is the features, the rate of updates, the rate/speed of detection, and the ease of use between programs that sets them apart. Sadly, paying for a security program does not make it more effective and generally speaking, doesn't even effect the rate of updates (although this differs between companies).
For regular PC users I would highly recommend that you use either: AVG, Avast!, Panda, or Bit Defender. They work just as well, if not better than anything you can pay for and are simple to use, keep updated, and to install.
AVG can be found here:

http://www.avg.com/us-en/homepage
Avast! can be found here:

http://www.avast.com/en-us/compare-antivirus?cha=aff&elm=ban&var=en_us_homepage&aid=ond_1234&omcid=aff_standard_product&utm_source=oneNetworkDirect&utm_medium=affiliate_US&utm_campaign=aff_standard_product&ClickID=cpa4nal4xpkfslpen4pzpw4epaxwslikniln
Panda can be found here:

http://www.pandasecurity.com/security-promotion/antivirusoffer/USA/?track=109089&gclid=CNTTx5aS9MICFQNgMgodnAIA-w
Bit Defender can be found here:

http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html
Here is an article with the current rankings for free security suites if you are interested:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp

I use AVG. I like it. I have also used Norton. I never had a problem. Some say Norton is kind of a control freak.

Are you asking virus or power outage and surge protection?

I was going to read the article, but then I saw the picture of Erin Andrews and the caption "15 Hottest Women Sportscasters", and, well...

I currently us a Mac, so I'm not up on a lot of the protection software, but my neighbor who has a a few PCs swears that the best is the free download from Microsoft called Microsoft Security Essentials. He says he never has a problem, and I think he said it was self updating and didn't use up a lot of system resources. Might be worth checking out.

For regular PC users I would highly recommend that you use: AVG

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I use AVG. I like it

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+11 ... Avoid Norton and McAfee like the plague for home use.

Mephistopheles' advice is spot on in my opinion.
The only things I would add are the following:
1. Make sure your computer software is up to date. All of it. Operating system and all.
2. Run as a standard user. If you run under administrator account, any malware will run with those privileges. In layman's terms "BAD".
3. Malwarebytes makes some of the best cleanup software out there. I work in the industry and people in my shop use it every day in a professional capacity to clean customer systems.
That just adds to what Mephistopheles said; it doesn't replace it.

I really like Eset, but for an everyday user Avast, AVG, or microsoft security is fine and works great.

+1 Ivapewithfire

Solid advice, my friend.
This article, along with the tests we've conducted in the lab, are exactly why I don't recommend Microsoft Security Essentials (Windows Defender):

http://www.howtogeek.com/173291/goodbye-microsoft-security-essentials-microsoft-now-recommends-you-use-a-third-party-antivirus/

Over the past several years, Microsoft Security Essentials has slid in the malware detection scoring tests. AV-TEST’s 2011 annual review ranked Microsoft Security Essentials last place in protection among all the products it tested. In October 2012, Microsoft Security Essentials scored so low that it lost its AV-TEST certification. In June 2013, MSE received a zero protection score from AV-TEST — the lowest possible score. It’s also come last in other recent tests, including one by Dennis Technology Labs.

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When it comes to malware protection, it tested below every other antivirus program tested.

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AVG is fine for most people's home use.
At work we use the corporate version of Kaspersky and have had good success with it. Far from free though.

So what is the difference between MalwareBytes and AVG? Would both be needed? I have AVG already.

I currently us a Mac, so I'm not up on a lot of the protection software

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Once upon a time, owning a Mac meant that you were almost totally exempt from danger due to various forms of malware, but that hasn't been true since the introduction of OSX. The Mac GUI sits atop a UNIX OS, so it's just as vulnerable to attack as anything else.
I also agree with the statement that there's no "free lunch". I also agree with the statement that none of the protection is proactive, and that it only protects against what is known to be in the wild and has a countermeasure created for it.
That said, some protection is better than none. And, the awareness that nothing on a computer that is attached to a LAN, WAN or modem is safe or private, is the best protection of all.

So what is the difference between MalwareBytes and AVG? Would both be needed? I have AVG already.

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Different detection definitions, not all malware is considered a virus. I use AVG, and keep both Malwarebytes and Spybot up to date, also use PC Tools Registry Mechanic, although it is no longer supported. If you are ever unfortunate enough to have problems, the more definitions the better. The other thing, if you ever have serious problems, and need to do a "clean up" disconnect your computer from the internet, some malware is like the Borg, and its last instruction if detected is to download another copy of the software.

I don't even bother with Spybot anymore. It's become a waste of system resources and just one other thing to manage.
Here is a review of their 2.0 build.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2412372,00.asp
Here is a review of their 2.3 build.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2458182,00.asp
Before build 2.0 it was a very worthwhile program, but not so much now...

Spybot detected just 32 percent of my current malware samples, knocking Anvi Smart Defender (which got 60 percent) out of last place. It did a terrible job removing the few samples it did find. Fully half of those were still running after Spybot's supposed cleanup. Spybot's overall score of 1.5 points is also a new low.

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Build 2.3 and 2.4 are improved, don't get me wrong, but regular anti-virus suites are more capable.

If you need a one-time cleanup scan, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 2.0 is our Editors' Choice in that area. If you're running Bitdefender Antivirus Plus (2014)$39.95 at BitDefender, Norton AntiVirus (2014)$49.99 at Norton, or Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus (2014)$19.99 at Webroot, our Editors' Choice antivirus products, I seriously doubt they'll leave anything for Spybot to do. Go ahead and install it, if you like; it won't hurt. I just doubt that it will help.

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dmcmtk, you should check out:
http://www.piriform.com/
Actually, you all should if you haven't already.
You can choose to pay for their products or get them as freeware. Every PC that I've built has their programs installed asap. CCleaner is their version of a registry mechanic and it's blown away the competition. Speccy allows you to view all of your system specs in one place. Recuva allows you to recover deleted files. Defraggler allows you to defrag your hard drive. I'd argue that Piriform is probably THE best utility-based software company out there. Everything is simple to use, runs light, and is easy to update.
I'm going to have to start charging for this advice. :wink:

I agree, piriform has great programs, I have ccleaner, defraggler, and speccy on all my machines. Another useful thing is from time to time, use compressed air to keep the fins of the cpu heat sink clean. Speccy tells you the fan speed so the effects of cleaning the heat sink can be seen.
Don't send the invoice.

Good man! :clap:

Sure thing. :D Anything to keep money out of the hands of Best Buy's Geek Squad.
Trailboss, have you tried Windows 10? There is an open beta for it right now.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/preview

*Make sure to back up everything before trying this - not for noobs & no going back.
From what I've seen, it looks like a dressed up Windows 7 with improved compatibility. Their goal with 10 is to fix all the issues with 8 and take us away from the tablet interface. The full and completely stable version should be released in about 6 months unless they push it back. My friends that have tried it say it's "funominal" and add that they've had zero issues with it. I'll give it a go when I'm not so busy.