Is Microsoft Security Essentials sufficient for anti-virus??

[GoodEnough]

Or should I install Avast or MalwareBytes PRO ?

 

[KeithP]

I think it is adequate. Personally, I won't spend money on AV products. I either use MSE or I will get something that is free after rebate. How you have your OS and software configured and how you behave at the keyboard are FAR more important to avoiding malware than the AV product you are using.

Fry's is my normal go to place for free after rebate AV software although I just checked their ad online and they don't have anything free at the moment. The nearest thing is Kaspersky Internet Security 2015 for $10 AR (plus tax of course).
http://www.frys.com/ads/page8

-KeithP

 

[brandonb]

MSE might catch about 80%-90% of malware that's out there. Is it worth having? Sure, it's way better than nothing. if you have no other Anti Virus program with a higher detection rate, then I may stick with that instead of MSE.

I'd say its sufficient. I've had maybe 3 browser attacks which MSE all caught over the last few years. However, on my a friend's computer, something did get installed which MSE did not detect, and we had to download the trail edition of Malware bytes to find/delete it.

If you are somewhat intelligent about what you are doing, MSE is more than sufficient. If you are the typical idiot Facebook user and click every pop up in a browser that says "you must install this thing right now." Well, you may want something a bit stronger.

 

[GoodEnough]

Ok, as long as MSE is not "garbage",
I will go with MSE and a weekly MalwareB scan.

The only risky thing I might accidentally click is put-locker. ;-)

 

[GoodEnough]

MSE is better than Avast, correct?

 

[lxskllr]

MSE is better than Avast, correct?

It's better that it doesn't irritate, or dick up your computer, but Avast has better detection.

 

[John Connor]

MSE is CRAP! There was a user here that posted about how he had malware all over his computer with MSE installed. It lost it's certificate!

Use Bitdefender Free and configure Sandboxie for your browser.

have you not been to this side of the forum before? There are plenty of "don't use MSE" threads.

http://www.darkreading.com/vulnerab...ntials-loses-av-certification/d/d-id/1107614?

 

[John Connor]

If you want to go one further and are using a Mozilla variant browser, install NoScrip and in the addons just disable it and this will leave basic protection with ABE and XSS, etc. With script blocking it can be cumbersome. I use NoScrip with blocking scripts, but I allow base 2nd level domains.

 

[utahraptor]

I have only used MSE for the last 3 years and never had an issue. It is fairly hard to get infected unless you like to click yes.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Yes, I'd get Malwarebytes Pro if you're using MSE. IMO MSE doesn't catch nearly as much malware as Malwarebytes.

 

[GoodEnough]

I have only used MSE for the last 3 years and never had an issue. It is fairly hard to get infected unless you like to click yes.

So, you're saying MSE is goodenough ?

 

[GoodEnough]

MSE is CRAP! There was a user here that posted about how he had malware all over his computer with MSE installed. It lost it's certificate!

Use Bitdefender Free and configure Sandboxie for your browser.

have you not been to this side of the forum before? There are plenty of "don't use MSE" threads.

http://www.darkreading.com/vulnerab...ntials-loses-av-certification/d/d-id/1107614?

Link is from 3 years ago

 

[Ryland]

I have tried most of the freebies and MSE is the only one in which I have had a computer get infected. I usually recommend Avast and tell people to stay away from MSE.

 

[GoodEnough]

Everyone agrees that BitDefender Free is better than Avast and MSE ?

 

[John Connor]

I would. I have tried them all. Currently using Bitdefender Free.

It's all user preference though.

 

[Tsavo]

MSE is utterly, utterly horrible.

I've loaded Kaspersky on machines "protected" by MSE only to find them packed to the gourd with malware.

 

[Mem]

Everyone agrees that BitDefender Free is better than Avast and MSE ?

I actually prefer Panda free 2015 to Bitdefender free,never gives me any issues in gaming,Bitdefender free I did try and gave me issues awhile back in some games.


End of the day it's personal preference etc but I always go with one that is very light on resources and gives me no issues ,also very good detection rate.

My free favourites are Panda,Avira,Avast,even AVG is not bad and much better then MSE.

 

[Ketchup]

MSE is CRAP! There was a user here that posted about how he had malware all over his computer with MSE installed. It lost it's certificate!

Use Bitdefender Free and configure Sandboxie for your browser.

have you not been to this side of the forum before? There are plenty of "don't use MSE" threads.

http://www.darkreading.com/vulnerab...ntials-loses-av-certification/d/d-id/1107614?

Wow, took 7 posts to get the proverbial "MSE is crap" posts started! Isn't that a record?

 

[Charlie98]

OP. I use a layer approach... I run MSE and SuperAntiSpyware active, and every few days or so I sweep with MBAM or SpyBot. I'm also pretty judicious with the 'Yes' clicks and where I browse. I don't think any ONE AV program is the greatest, end all solution... but in the end, it's up to the user.

 

[John Connor]

Wow, took 7 posts to get the proverbial "MSE is crap" posts started! Isn't that a record?

Well, someone has to say it. I just can't let stupid go on.

:awe:

 

[Ketchup]

Well, someone has to say it. I just can't let stupid go on.

:awe:

Matter of opinion. You think you can stop the NSA from seeing what they want to see, and I don't see people calling you stupid for it.

 

[John Connor]

 

[SlickR12345]

MSE is really bad, in fact its average detection rate is bellow 70% which is really bad for any AV. Anything lower than 80% for AV is really bad, since that means newer threats are almost guaranteed to not be detected, so in essence it barely blocks 50% of the threats out there.

You definitely need a proper firewall and a better AV solution. For free antivirus solutions Avast free, AVG free, Lavasoft free, Panda Free, 360 total security, Comodo internet security, etc... are all better than MSE.

For firewall you have several free options, among whom are Comodo, private firewall, online armor, quihoo free firewall.

http://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus...r-2014/microsoft-windows-defender-4.4-144071/

http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php

 

[GoodEnough]

Doesn't Win7 have a built-in firewall ?
I think I selected that option on my first login to wifi.

 

[bononos]

Doesn't Win7 have a built-in firewall ?
I think I selected that option on my first login to wifi.

It does. But I always install some other product because the built in firewall does not have HIPS.
Private firewall, Comodo, Online Armor at the top of the good ones, there are free versions of those 3.