After my friends harrowing adventure with RansomWare I'm looking into getting additional protection for my box.  I already use Microsoft Security Essentials.  Do I need an additional Malware prevention tool?  And if so, will it replace SE or run along side it?  Thanks for your info. 

I use Malwarebytes and find it to be great at rooting out spyware. I paid for the upgrade to PRo and that added real time protection where you don't have to run it manually. It works well and is about as transparent as MSE. The free version is just as good but must be run manually. Highly recommended Ol' Pal.

ampfixer
I use Malwarebytes and find it to be great at rooting out spyware. I paid for the upgrade to PRo and that added real time protection where you don't have to run it manually. It works well and is about as transparent as MSE. The free version is just as good but must be run manually. Highly recommended Ol' Pal.

This^^^ +100
Malwarebytes is excellent!!
 
EDIT: I've actually been using Webroot's SecurityAnywhere and it's been doing a fantastic job on 3 PC's for the past year (the paid subcription is around $20 per year). When I was only using free anti-virus/malware software, it was MSE and Malwarebytes.  

ampfixer
I use Malwarebytes and find it to be great at rooting out spyware. I paid for the upgrade to PRo and that added real time protection where you don't have to run it manually. It works well and is about as transparent as MSE. The free version is just as good but must be run manually. Highly recommended Ol' Pal.

+1.
 
I run it alongside AVG, so far, so good.

I use Malwarebtyes and SpyBot - Both have been very useful. Those along with either Avast or AVG.

MALWAREBYTES,
AND CCLEANER

yorolpal
Do I need an additional Malware prevention tool?  And if so, will it replace SE or run along side it? 

Hi. I recommend you try Sandboxie. It works with SE too. You can use it for free or you can buy it to get rid of the quick nag screen. I use it for free. As the name implies it is an easy to use sandbox program which is designed to keep you safe. Take a look at it in the www.sandboxie.com web site. There is a little how it works -presentation to show you the simple but effective principle behind it. In short it is a program that you can use with your browser or almost any other app that you use and it prevents bad things from happening to your system or data. In the web site there are guides and a forum. There are also vids on the Youtube about it including tests where it decimates malware attacks.
Or you could try some of the fully OS sandboxing programs which are probably even safer but are bit more work I believe. I also use noscript and flash blocking plugins for the Firefox and Opera browsers. EMET is also supposed to be useful against some malware attacks.

Actually, it's you!
 
There is no software that can prevent malware if one constantly clicks on the same sucker stuff over and over. I have made a living from cleaning machines since 93 and they all have every flavor of this and that to "prevent" bites in the shark tank that is the internet.
 
It's always the same two or three people in any office and walk-ins are becoming what we call frequent flyers. For those the only remedy is disconnect. Other that that, quit having "fun" on the net. It's no "fun" anymore.
 
This doesn't sound "cool" but it is the absolute truth man.
 

Well...most all of my time online is spent on three basic sites...CNN, this forum and Youtube. The rest is downloading updates and new purchases from, hopefully, trusted sites. That said, I know nowhere is safe on the interwebz...hence my OP questions. I wish I could have fun on the net. But other than occasionally here, it depresses the dog doo outta me.

I don't know where people get searchconduit, super speedy pc pro and all the others but with from what I gather from servicing this small section of America is that they respond to the internet telling them something about them or their pc is inadequate for the most part.
 
Update your (OS) drivers [x]
Get the new video converter [x]
Your PC may be infected [x]
Stop male pattern baldness [x]
 
Most people don't know what these things are anyway, but they'll click 'em.
Then there is cross site scripting. <Roll eyes>
 
The thing is, is that many people weren't and aren't ready for computers.
They have then for the internet and without it the machines would go back to just the nerds.
They don't consider things like backing up your stuff for example.
 
And they don't understand that this is the WORLD WIDE web and right next to us on the internet are people a lot smarter and driven than most who wish to extract money from whoever they can make believe.
 
Read the OWASP top 10.
 
https://www.owasp.org/index.php/Top_10_2013-Top_10