Microsoft Security Essentials

Tuomas · Mon 22/02/2010 18:57:01

Hi.

I just noticed that Microsoft is providing a free anti-virus, also in Finland now. The site providing it is also linking to AVG and Avast! What do you reckon of this, and has anyone tried this yet?

I mean, yeah, MS is probably as good as Norton, but if they say the firewall is enough as it is in Vista and 7, would this be too, and where do they build their database from?

Would anyone recommend? After all, it's free too

Ghost · Mon 22/02/2010 19:32:09

Well, I am a die-hard fan of Avira AntiVir, but I can't see where there'd be any harm in trying out a free anti-virus program from Microsoft. It should at least be decent- MS *has* to care a little about the quality of their programs since so many people are bound to try it out.

Then again...

Danman · Mon 22/02/2010 20:32:09

I have to say the best anti virus I have ever used will be Avira. It even found viruses from 1990's. But if Microsoft got free anti virus programs. Why not try them.

But I gave up with anti virus programs. I just let the viruses come these days.

monkey0506 · Tue 23/02/2010 07:35:13

I've used Avira in the past strictly for the rootkit scanner which works great. Beyond that I'm an avast! fanboy myself.

Haven't heard of MS writing an actual AV program but I must say it's about time considering 99% of all PC (read as Personal Computer, including 99% of all Macs) users run Windows as the primary OS.

Sure, my statistics are made up, but they're close enough to the truth that it doesn't matter.

And Ghost, I agree entirely with the sentiment of that comic. In addition to that I would add:

Then again...

Calin Leafshade · Tue 23/02/2010 07:36:44

99% of mac users use windows as their primary OS?

hmmmm

Spoiler

Bollocks, youth

[close]

OneDollar · Tue 23/02/2010 16:02:06

I've used it and it seems fine. Pretty light weight, fast scans, doesn't seem to slow my PC down at all.

My most interesting experience was when I first ran it and it found a load of trojans that my previous antivirus hadn't mentioned. It flagged up a bunch of .mp3s I'd downloaded from incompetech.com years ago and hadn't touched since. I read up on what it had found and apparently it thought the .mp3s had malicious code in them to call up a (currently empty) website when run. I figured that was a load of rubbish and freed one from quarantine. When I ran it, it did actually call up that website. The file definitely didn't do that when I first downloaded it, and new downloads from incompetech didn't do the same or get flagged. Any other name than Microsoft and I'd have been convinced that security essentials put the viruses there itself... as it is I guess something must have slipped through the old AV and infected a bunch of files I never listen to.

My work colleague installed it on his home computer, and saw exactly the same thing happen.

Other than that it's not detected anything, but I wouldn't expect there to be anything to detect. I guess that's sort of a recommendation, though I'd be interested if anyone else has seen the infected music file thing.

Tuomas · Tue 23/02/2010 16:13:24

You've tried it.

I'm running Avast! at the moment, and am happy with it. It updates its database so often, it must be good. But if I were to try this MSE, do you think it'd run alongside Avast! or would there be problems. I don't think I'd want to go reinstalling stuff all the time

Danman · Tue 23/02/2010 16:49:09

@OneDollar Mp3's Actually don't have malicious codes it is the codecs that puts that in.

I think running 2 anti viruses on 1 PC is fine. But don't scan with both at the same time or let them run real-time at the same time either. Cause that will just be slow as hell.

InCreator · Tue 23/02/2010 17:02:45

NoScript add-on

Only "anti-virus" you'll need. Ever.
It's not 1998 where every third .EXE could be infected with some joke.
Also, it takes total idiot to download 43KB thesims4.exe from Limewire - or wherever executable viruses still *do* exist. Internet is a bit more fragile and that's why you need a way to block those nasty scripts installing toolbars and changing home pages.

Also, it doesn't choke your computer like casual antivirus does - infact it usually makes browsing faster, skipping all the ad-server queries from webpages. Many pages - just to display a bit of content, also come with 7 or 8 advertising site queries and banner loading. No more of that!

It's a bit chore to use at first ("where's most of this page?") but once you "teach" it what you want to see (and what not!), your usual surfing becomes quite safe and quick.

Radiant · Tue 23/02/2010 18:26:37

Computer security is not something I would trust Microsoft with, based on their track record.

Danman · Tue 23/02/2010 19:08:35

I think the best is not to download from stupid sites. And to stick to Official stuff. For instance you need a patch for a game or program whatever. That is my anti-Virus idea. That is really the best. You could always have a virus and not know. Even if you had the best anti virus software in the world

Calin Leafshade · Tue 23/02/2010 19:28:02

Yea I dont actually run any anti virus.

I find common sense is generally enough to combat viruses and spyware/adware.

Danman · Tue 23/02/2010 19:48:55

Yea every time i have got a virus I knew exactly where I downloaded and even thought this is a virus. But like to see what these hackers can dish out. I can always bypass them cause they suck.

I actually find it fun to get viruses.

monkey0506 · Tue 23/02/2010 19:49:45

Quote from: Calin Leafshade on Tue 23/02/2010 07:36:44
99% of mac users use windows as their primary OS?

hmmmm

Spoiler
Bollocks, youth
[close]

You misread what I typed. I stated that 99% of all Mac computers are PCs by the definition that they are personal computers. 99% of all PC users use Windows. Not 100% of PC users are Mac users.

Adrian â€‚ · Tue 23/02/2010 22:28:03

http://lifehacker.com/5433229/microsoft-security-essentials-ranks-as-best+performing-free-antivirus

Mr Flibble · Tue 23/02/2010 23:12:02

Let's all start using Windows Firewall while we're at it.

LimpingFish · Wed 24/02/2010 01:05:31

Quote from: Mr Flibble on Tue 23/02/2010 23:12:02
Let's all start using Windows Firewall while we're at it.

Speaking of firewalls...

ZoneAlarm Free users should be aware that no "essential" Windows process is currently being blocked by the firewall. Unless you manually track down and add them to the program database (and set their status to "block"; the "ask" status is completely bypassed), they have full internet access (and full server access).

You can't alter these settings, unless you purchase ZoneAlarm Pro.

The bastards.

EDIT: To clarify, such things as "explorer.exe", "services.exe", "spoolsv.exe", etc, can hit up the internet (and launch themselves as servers) freely.

Tuomas · Wed 24/02/2010 03:06:11

I installed it and run a system scan. It found nothing. I guess that means I'm a responsible user.

Mr Flibble · Wed 24/02/2010 03:10:54

Quote from: LimpingFish on Wed 24/02/2010 01:05:31
unless you purchase ZoneAlarm Pro.

A problem that only advanced users would be aware of or care about.
A solution that no advanced user would ever consider.

That is some excellent marketing strategy right there.

OneDollar · Wed 24/02/2010 14:51:35

Quote from: Danman on Tue 23/02/2010 16:49:09
@OneDollar Mp3's Actually don't have malicious codes it is the codecs that puts that in.

Yeah, they were .mp3 extensions, but it said they were some other file type that is able to launch scripts from Windows Media Player. Seemed to think they were renamed.