Microsoft Security Essentials

K1LLSW1TCH

K1LLSW1TCH

K1LLSW1TCH

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I've just got back into using my PC again for the first time in about 3 months. I'm running Windows Vista 64bit and I'm just wondering which free Antivirus is the best at the moment. I used to use AVG but then heard that Microsoft Security Essentials was better so I've removed AVG and been using that. Is it fine for just a weekly scan or is something like Avast better?

Cheers.
 
I was using MSSE, but it missed quite a few things on my pendrive that had been in a virus-ridden PC at uni, so I switched back to Kaspersky and it's working a lot better now.
 
alexhull24 said:
I was using MSSE, but it missed quite a few things on my pendrive that had been in a virus-ridden PC at uni, so I switched back to Kaspersky and it's working a lot better now.
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That's what I'm worried about. Like with IE being the most popular browser and traditional having the most security problems because of that. I just wondered if Security Essentials would have as many definitions as lesser used Anti viruses. Is Kaspersky available as a free version by the way? I'm not a total skinflint I just only use this PC for occasional gaming so I don't really want to pay for something that's only going to be used for a weekly scan. I do all my browsing, media and work on a Mac.
 
I've been using it a month or so & it's lite, Seems pretty good to me after using Avast for the last few years. I do browse clever though & regularly sweep my system.
No complaints here but then I am wise enough to be able to sort my system out if owt goes wrong/gets in.
 
I use MSE. Its better than the free AVG but I've seen a couple of posts that it has missed viruses. But for free it meets my needs but wouldnt rely on it if i was moving data to and from multiple PC's by USB stick
 
If you have a barclays account, you can get Kaspersky IS 2010 for free. I've been doing that a couple of years now. It seems to pick up almost everything, and is one of the best out there. NOD32 is also very good I've found. There is a whole AV thread for this though, should use that.
 
alexhull24 said:
If you have a barclays account, you can get Kaspersky IS 2010 for free. I've been doing that a couple of years now. It seems to pick up almost everything, and is one of the best out there. NOD32 is also very good I've found. There is a whole AV thread for this though, should use that.
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I do have a Barclays account. Thanks, I should have looked there in the first place actually, good point. :)
 
MSE still has the bug where CPU load and disk i/o is crippled on large content folders when viewing them.

Until this is fixed I won't be going back to MSE but instead sticking with AVAST 5.

 
MSE is a good app but the CPU load on large folders makes it unworkable for me, any game launch, etc will hold up the PC for a couple of seconds before letting it go. I'm using Avira free again, it's detection rate is superb, although the false positives can be annoying sometimes.
 
I use McAfee on my Win 7, and MSC on my XP. I have found no problems with it, as soon as my McAfee subs run out, I'll be using MSC on my Win 7.
 
Should really use spybot & Malwarebytes on top of MSE.

MSE alone is not safe in my experience.
 
Using MSE for the first time over the last few weeks, quite like it, not heard much from it unlike Avast which sent me a message about being updated most days
 
Used MSE since it became available and no problems with it. I never notice games loading slowly (I mean if it's slowing down game loading for 2 seconds do you actually notice that - are you there with a stop watch?).

I have thrown stuff I know that is virus ridden at it and it's been fine. It's intercepted web based virus's as well and you know that if there is a new virus it will release updated definitions asap. I noticed with the free and paid for solutions they normally mate you wait a day or so for definitions in relation to the paid for solution.

Also it's advert free unlike Avira which keeps using scare tactics such as your e-mail is not protected upgrade to pro avira or your computer will be destoryed! Etc.



M.
 
I've made no secret of my dislike of MSE. It misses far too much stuff for my liking, both in tests (mine) and in real world applications. Have a read of the mammoth "All AV questions to be kept in here" thread... ;) Linky.

Personally I'd grab that free Kaspersky if it's 2010. If not try Avast 5 free.
 
C64 said:
Should really use spybot & Malwarebytes on top of MSE.

MSE alone is not safe in my experience.
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Malwarebytes is ace, always run a scan every week or two just to be sure. I don't think I've ever had anything show up though since I started using MSE though.
 
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