Is Microsoft Security Essentials sufficient for anti-virus??

[MadScientist]

OP,
Read and you decide. Personally I use Bitdefender and Malawarebytes free.

http://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/

http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/avc_sum_201412_en.pdf

Summary awards: http://chart.av-comparatives.org/awards.php?year=2014

 

[MustISO]

I know people still recommend MSE but seriously, it's one of the worst if not the worst product out there for AV protection. There are much better choices, read the information above or reviews at CNET, PCMag, etc.

 

[GoodEnough]

I uninstalled MSE and Avast.
I am now running BitDefender Free.

 

[aranatecharete]

For Anti Virus MSE would be enough but you can always add an extra layer of firewall. Comodo is a good one

 

[GoodEnough]

I already have Windows Firewall running.
I am now on BitDefender Free

 

[ringtail]

Answers depend on different threshholds that describe your usage:

If you want a safe personal computer at your private home, then probably Kaspersky Internet Security.

If you work in anything of potential interest to hackers, like the Israelis, Chinese, Russians, etc, then that's pathetic, ineffective, ...you need even deadlier kungfu.

 

[TechWiz365]

MSE along with Avast (Free) or Malwarebytes is a good combination.

 

[midwestfisherman]

Just buy a Mac. Problem solved!

 

[ControlD]

Just buy a Mac. Problem solved!

Sure, as I am trying to get a particularly nasty piece of Malware removed from my wife's Air as we speak. I think the days of security through obscurity are coming to an end for the Mac.

On topic, I just use MSE and Malaware Bytes and I haven't had an issue for years. I also tend to run my browser sandboxed these days.

 

[Bradtech519]

There are better free anti virus products. Initially MSE was good upon release & shortly after. It has got worse as time has passed. Using MSE & doing scans with Malware bytes & super antispyware might serve you well. I'd just do scans regularly with my back up spyware scanners.

 

[corkyg]

IMHO, being "street smart" with regard to browsing and email is almost as important as AV/AM software.

 

[Mem]

IMHO, being "street smart" with regard to browsing and email is almost as important as AV/AM software.

You have a good point however as you know some users out there are not "street smart" and never will be sad to say.


Getting back to my previous post in this thread about what I said about Bitdefender free,well I just tried the latest build of the free version for Bitdefender and have to say no issues with that version so seems to be working great, so gets a recommendation and thumbs up :thumbsup: by me.

 

[KeithP]

You have a good point however as you know some users out there are not "street smart" and never will be sad to say.

Unfortunately true. And for those users, what av software they use probably doesn't matter because their system will end up infested with malware at some point regardless of what they use. Those folks should probably just make sure they have a good backup.

-KeithP

 

[synoptic12]

M.S.E. is an excellent full coverage security package. Definitions are updated daily and it is very light weight. Prior to installing M.S.E., we employed Symantec Endpoint. However, the definitions expired, meaning we would have to move to 12. Symantec was very heavy, incurring a start up time at around one minute, fifty seconds.

Now that we have M.SE., the machine is booting up at around 45 to 50 seconds. Some adware can slip through like UniDeals. However, the anti-virus and continual updates are excellent. M.S.E. is a most formidable complete security package.

There have been detractors of M.S.E. and there is really no consensus in stating such. We tested M.S.E. and have found the security is excellent. More so, M.S.E. is extremely light which we very much appreciate. No issues on our end. We would highly recommend M.S.E. at 5 stars easily.

 

[synoptic12]

MSE along with Avast (Free) or Malwarebytes is a good combination.

We used Avast with MSE and it posed a conflict: "slowing the computer". As soon as we uninstalled Avast, the machine was much quicker "no lag at all".

 

[MongGrel]

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

Not even sure about that, I like MSE myself and run The regular Malwarebytes now and then.

Avast I personally do not care for over time, maybe just me.

 

[MongGrel]

We used Avast with MSE and it posed a conflict: "slowing the computer". As soon as we uninstalled Avast, the machine was much quicker "no lag at all".

Imagine that.

I run No Script also I guess just in general.

And some BISS things in the background.

 

[synoptic12]

Not even sure about that, I like MSE myself and run The regular Malwarebytes now and then.

Avast I personally do not care for over time, maybe just me.

* We inserted Avast with MSE and it did pose a conflict. Try it and you can clearly see the difference in slow speed. If we did not test this combination, we would have not elaborated.

No, we agree with you. We did not place Avast at any pinnacle. Yes, Malewarebytes works. However, we just use MSE and the scanning works fine. MSE does pick up malware, and security threats. Unbelievably light: 'booting up at around 45 to 50 seconds.

 

[MongGrel]

* We inserted Avast with MSE and it did pose a conflict. Try it and you can clearly see the difference in slow speed. If we did not test this combination, we would have not elaborated.

No, we agree with you. We did not place Avast at any pinnacle. Yes, Malewarebytes works. However, we just use MSE and the scanning works fine. MSE does pick up malware, and security threats. Unbelievably light: 'booting up at around 45 to 50 seconds.

I'm agreeing with you, actually.

KK.

:thumbsup:

 

[synoptic12]

I'm agreeing with you, actually.

Ditto.

 

[synoptic12]

Just buy a Mac. Problem solved!

Forget About It.

 

[Bob.]

Unfortunately true. And for those users, what av software they use probably doesn't matter because their system will end up infested with malware at some point regardless of what they use. Those folks should probably just make sure they have a good backup.

-KeithP

Just as unfortunate, those folks won't be making any backups either. :whiste:

 

[Bob.]

We used Avast with MSE and it posed a conflict: "slowing the computer". As soon as we uninstalled Avast, the machine was much quicker "no lag at all".

Running 2 AV programs on the same system is the real problem there.

 

[synoptic12]

Running 2 AV programs on the same system is the real problem there.

Yes, no question about that. What do you think, 'if you are aware' of the total 360 security?

 

[Bob.]

Yes, no question about that. What do you think, 'if you are aware' of the total 360 security?

I'm not familiar with that one. However, a while back, I researched what the best free AV solution might be. The consensus seemed to be Bitdefender. I've put that on a few machines, and it seems to work well with little user interaction. The trade off is that it's not too configurable.
Another 'trade off' is that you have to create an account at the Bitdefender web site with a valid email to activate the free version. I seem to remember that being an annual event.

But checking out the links in the google search below will show that MSE falls pretty low on the list right now, whereas Bitdefender scores consistently high. The testing is typically based on various factors, including the percentage of virus detections:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bitdewfender+best&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

2 years from now those results will likely be different.

That said, as has been previously mentioned, the first line of defense is the guy at the keyboard.