How good is Microsoft Security Essentials?

[cyberia]

Next time you consider Microsoft's free anti-virus product, keep in mind that

Microsoft is celebrating the first anniversary of its Microsoft Security Essentials, which the company says is used by about 31 million customers worldwide. During that time, about 27 million of those customers have been infected with malware.

Found here

 

[RavenSEAL]

lol @ M$

 

[Anubis]

its actually pretty decent TBH

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

According to avcomparitives it's one of the best performing antivirus software available. Even outperforming the software you'd have to pay for. No antivirus can protect the majority of ignorant computer users. Here's the review read it yourself.
http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_od_aug2010.pdf

 

[RavenSEAL]

Avast>MSSE

 

[blinblue]

I'm a little curious about what they mean by " have been infected with malware" and how they got this data. Because if they just surveyed users and the user was asked if they "had been infected by malware" the user could easily take this to mean "did Microsoft Security Essentials give you a warning". In which case, it did exactly what it was supposed to do. Or do they mean that 27 out of the 31 million computers with MSE have malware running on it undetected. Because I'd find that number highly suspect, as that's 90% of the computers...

 

[bfdd]

It's one of, if not the best av software I have ever used. It detected a virus on a shared drive here at work before our lame ass norton endpoint detected that same thing.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Pretty damn good. Lightweight, catches most things, intrusive, and one of the best AV solutions atm according to tests

 

[mshan]

Seems better than nothing, and so far is not always asking to upgrade to paid premium version with each update.

 

[amdhunter]

It's one of, if not the best av software I have ever used. It detected a virus on a shared drive here at work before our lame ass norton endpoint detected that same thing.

Endpoint can suck a fat one. I'd rather have malware.

 

[aldamon]

It's really nice. I use it on all my machines at home and the place where I volunteer installs it on every machine we refurb as well.

 

[AMDZen]

I tried it, but switched to Avira

 

[Riverhound777]

We've been using the Intune beta at my office for several months and are very happy with it. Much better than Symantec.

 

[WT]

Interpretation. You could have a bug, install MSE and have it clean it, thus meeting the criteria of having 'cleaned' that particular PC. 31 million users, and 27 million installed it to directly deal with a malware threat.

That's my take on it at least.

 

[busydude]

Yup, I used MSEE for 6 months.. and it was pretty good, its not a resource hog and it does the job very well.

 

[BeauJangles]

I've had it running on my computer at home for months. I like it because it is entirely non-intrusive. I forget that it's even running most of the time.

 

[zokudu]

I've had it running on my computer at home for months. I like it because it is entirely non-intrusive. I forget that it's even running most of the time.

This it just sits there but anytime I do do something stupid it does warn me so it does its job. I've never had an issue with anything on my pc. (Did have my gmail compromised but shit happens eh?

 

[frostedflakes]

I've had it running on my computer at home for months. I like it because it is entirely non-intrusive. I forget that it's even running most of the time.

This. Detection rates are pretty good and it's not super naggy or resource intensive. Along with FF+NoScript and Common Sense 2010 Edition, I think it provides more than adequate protection for my needs.

blinblue is probably on the right track, those numbers make absolutely no sense taken at face value. And if 90% of MSE computers are infected, I'd hate to see how terrible infection rates are with other AV, because MSE's performance in AV Comparatives has been above average. It's not the best AV, but it's certainly not the worst either.

 

[boomhower]

I use it exclusively, have since it was in beta. Of course I pay attention to what I am doing and haven't gotten a virus or malware in years.

 

[coldmeat]

I like it. Even when it needs to be updated it doesn't constantly bother me with popups and shit. It just changes color in the taskbar.

 

[JujuFish]

It's decent, and it's free. Personally, I use Avira.

 

[FDF12389]

Ironically its better than forefront.

 

[Perknose]

Surprisingly, it's actually pretty decent.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

i heard it's good but i also heard it requires a legit copy of windows.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

i heard it's good but i also heard it requires a legit copy of windows.

Oh noes, MS requires you to have a legit copy of Their OS to use their free product. HOW DARE THOSE BASTARDS!!!!