MS Security Essentials vs. All Other Protection Programs

[River_Rat_459]

I've been searching through this forum this afternoon and reading up on entries regarding anti-virus / firewall / malware software. I've seen one positive comment for Microsoft Security Essentials. For those that have dealt with it, what are your impressions?

I've doing some work for a company that uses SE on their office PCs. If I wind up getting more work from them (and hopefully a job!), I might want to recommend they consider something, assuming that I can show the benefit of switching up far outweighs the risk of sticking to the freebie. To me, the words "Microsoft" and "security" used together are usually contradictory to one another, at best.

In my past experiences, Norton was the king of the protection world, but they were notorious for their software being resource hogs. I've used AVG Free on my laptop in the past with okay results. I'm using CA Security Center on mine now, because it was free from my ISP. I like it well enough.

Thoughts?

[smoke]

I love security essentials. I've been using it for several years now. It been fast, reliable, and consistently updated. In terms of a free AV solution, IMO, nothing else is better.

I've used AVG, avast, and clamwin, and in terms of comparison, none of them comes close to the features, speed and non-bloatware.

Norton, is shit, it is so bloated with extra crap, I won't ever run it again. McAfee, is okay, but their somewhat like CA, in that they try to buy up all the smaller guys, especially when one of the smaller guys has a good product.

I think what it really comes down too is support. A paid product is obviously gonna give you 24x7 phone support for any issue that arises.. (even though that support might be in India)

I hear Trend Micro is pretty good, along with Kapersky

[Ironhide400]

Norton, is shit, it is so bloated with extra crap, I won't ever run it again. McAfee, is okay, but their somewhat like CA, in that they try to buy up all the smaller guys, especially when one of the smaller guys has a good product.


This is very true! Norton has so much additional crap, it causes more problems than fixes.

Otherwise, I can't offer much since I don't specialize in PC security. My employer uses Sophos, which is decent, and has some very good central management features. We have many state and city agencies that use McAffe, but they don't ever have much good to say since they are always disabling because it interferes with alot of software used in the printing industry.

[saviger]

I'm with smoke on this, Microsoft has really upped their game in the security department.

Keep your Windows Firewall, Router Firewall ON; Set a weekly scan of the MS Security Essentials.
Most importantly, keep mindful of the links you click on the intarwebs. Follow these simple steps, and you can stay pretty clean.

PS. With Microsoft now updating the windows platform to the point they are. Bad guys are now targeting your Adobe Acrobat and Java plugins. You now need to be very mindful of the Java code you run and the PDFs you open. If someone sends you a PDF and you dont know who they are DONT OPEN IT, you could get pwned.


EDIT: In conclusion, I use the MS product on my personal Windows7 machines. It has the coveted "Sav's stamp of approval". Its light, fast and does slow down your system. I like the ability to quickly scan downloads with a rightclick --> "Scan with Microsoft Security Essentials" 2 seconds later you know its clean.

[CrzyChinook]

Yup I agree I've been using MSE for years use to use ether Norton's enterprise or avg/ahvast but compared to MSE they are junk....best part its free...
I even use MSE to help people catch worms,trojons,and virus's works like a champ every time.... highly recommend!!

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[River_Rat_459]

Thanks for the response guys. I appreciate your advice.:untroubled:

[Port66]

I love MSE as well, I use kaspersky at work and it works great. Avira wasn't a bad free one I thought they might be charging now though
Oh and I love malwarebytes.org they have a good free remover, and subscription protection

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[River_Rat_459]

I love MSE as well, I use kaspersky at work and it works great. Avira wasn't a bad free one I thought they might be charging now though
Oh and I love malwarebytes.org they have a good free remover, and subscription protection

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I like Malwarebytes too. It's been a lifesaver in the past.

[MARDIGRA21]

I must start using this security essentials you all speak so highly of, I have avast and malawarebytes. Can someone provide directions where to get this essential essentials

[MARDIGRA21]

I'm jk I'm not that non tech savvy, I got it downloaded now. Can't believe I didn't know this program existed.


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[CrzyChinook]

I'm jk I'm not that non tech savvy, I got it downloaded now. Can't believe I didn't know this program existed.


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most people dont every laptop i work on out here(personal) i put it on and tell the user that not only is it Microsoft.. its free...

[SSMayNV]

I wouldn't use anything else at this point. I submitted a new virus to them on the 19th and they released new definitions for it... You're welcome :-P

[SGTNordell]

security essentials is really good I also use Trend Micro Pro both have never let me down

sent from a commadore 64 with a 5 1/2 floppy