Linda, real time is just another euphemism for monitoring your PC 24/7, vice just running a scan when your suspicious. I've thought about it, and maybe I can answer why the guy gave you malwarbytes without writing "War and Peace". First, I need to clarify about malware. Malware is really the name for ALL of this stuff. There's a LOT of overlap in the malware world, but this is how I would classify them:
Worms - true worms (this often includes what are called script viruses) can crawl through the internet to get at you. They're the only types that don't need to be bonded to another program to get in your computer. It's not as scary as it sounds though, since there are a lot of defenses against these - antivirus software pays these a lot of attention and a good firewall blocks the majority - therefore, it's hard for hackers to write good ones. It's a lot easier to write the other kinds. Theoretically, a true worm needs no help to get in your computer, but, practically, visiting questionable websites makes you more vulnerable.
Viruses - a true virus has to attach itself to a healthy program without the developers knowledge to get into your computer.
Trojans - Trojans are programs that might actually perform a useful function - or just provide a minor bell or whistle - but the program just exists to hide all the bad stuff that's attached to it.
There's no agreed upon name for the last category, so I'll call it:
Sneakyware - Sneakyware usually tells you it's installing extra stuff - like spyware or adware or hijackers - but it buries it in the fine print. It might not even say it with the files that come with it. The truth may only be implied in the websites privacy policy. The point is: they hope you won't notice the extra stuff in order to get the legitimate service - toolbars are the standard example - but the real purpose of the whole thing is the extra stuff. The toolbar is just the bait that lures the fish. There's an even grayer, though legitimate, practice that some people think borders on sneakyware - that's the companies stance that the extra software is essential to "improve" your experience. For example, Adobe Acrobat installs some stuff that starts as soon as you start Windows, and stays always in memory, so you can open .pdfs faster. Even if you only open a .pdf once in a blue moon, you're still stuck with this stuff always taking up a little memory, unless you find and disable it. AOL is the prime example of this last type. Technicians LOATHE AOL because it's considered a "dirty" install. It leaves all kinds of sneaky little "enhancement" hooks in your system that don't go away when you uninstall it. Quicktime is a lesser example of this dirty type.
This broad range of rubbish is why it's difficult to come up with a find it all scanner, and why there are virus and malware scanners available. Virus scanners, like Avira, concentrate on looking for the suspicious activity of stuff like worms and looking for the suspicious ride alongs most commonly represented by viruses. Malware scanners lean more towards looking in the places where sneakyware hides and checking their database to see if they recognize something bad. Many people run a real time anti-virus, a real time malware, and a firewall to try and keep the junk out in the first place. The problem with running more than that 24/7 is that - viruses scanners in particular - have to dig so far down in your system to keep watch that they almost act like the bad stuff and can set off a warning in another AV. Since the approaches of AVs and malware scanners are different enough, you can usually get away with running one of each.
You'll sometimes notice in the GOTD comments that certain protection software "plays well with others" So it's probably safe to add to your other real time protections. But, like I said before, you can put as many protection softwares as you want on your machine, as long as you don't try to run them all 24/7. Some people get crazy about this, though, and have a half dozen or more. If you've got one of each running 24/7, you can rest easy. It doesn't hurt to have one or two more that you only use occasionally as double checks, and maybe a software that can give you a list if there's any bad stuff in vulnerable places. Two of the ones mentioned earlier, CCleaner and Glary Utilities have some of these extra listing functions.
That's what Wizz was saying about Malwarbytes. Your technician could have given you the paid version and added it to your bill, but it's MUCH more likely that he gave you the free version, so your can't use it as real time protection unless you buy that license. Or you can try a free one. Unfortunately, I'm not sure many malware scanners offer free 24/7 protection. I use Windows Defender, which comes with Vista. It's probably the worst, but it's not completely useless like some have said. And it's been replaced by more of a free Anti-Virus - Microsoft Security Essentials - anyway, though I can still get the updates.
More on this post and also useful overall safety practices:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/how-to-secure-your-pc.php
Free Malware Scanners:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-adware-spyware-scumware-remover.htm
Free AVs:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-anti-virus-software.htm
