Plugin general question

Hi,

I am a little new to WordPress and i am trying to make my desired internet site, so, i have one question to ask. When it comes to installing plugins, such as “w3 total cache”, “itheme security” and “WordFence”, how can i make those active on my site? I mean that, is it enough if i empty my cache on my localhost and later deactivate the plugin and not upload it on my live server, or, should i have it activated all the time, even on my live server? It it the same when it comes to the other two plugins (with the difference that each plugin has it’s own settings of course)?

thanks in advance.