Windows 7: MSe / Forefront Client Security vs THE REST

Hi all
One INDISPUTABLE fact here is that MSE / Forefront client security definitions are updated ALMOST DAILY.

I don't suppose ANY of the FREE AV software out there can do this stuff as quickly as MS and even the paid for stuff.

So far I'm sticking with Forefront Client security -- (mse IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME) as it seems to work just fine, has a tiny footprint and I've tested on a totally separate coputer trying to infect it and it detects just fine. I've also tested a local "rogue" website and it also detects.

Not exhaustive tests I agree but the fact that MS is updating the definitions almost daily can't be bad.

Enc screenshot

Cheers
jimbo

Paid AVs definitions are updated hourly

Norton's pulse updates are sent every 5 to 15 minutes.

Avast! (paid) also has pulse updates and are sent in a similar time frame.

That *might* be possible but unless they have access to MS's source code for Windows they could only tell you IF your computer has become infected -- which is a bit too late in the process for a lot of people.

Once a computer HAS become infected I wouldn't trust ANY AV software to cleanse it 100% -- Safe RESTORE from a known clean image or a new OS install are the only SURE ways of ensuring the Virus removal.

I still believe that in about 12 - 24 months time there will be very FEW survivors left in the FREE HOME AV market -- the only players in this game will be those that cobble together corporate deals -- as we all know big businesses often do not make the BEST or even MOST COST EFFECTIVE technical decisions.

Cheers
jimbo

FWIW: Over the years I've tried several paid products including Norton, McAfee, TrendMicro, and CA (formerly Computer Associates.) I've also tried several free products including Avast, Avira, and AVG. Not until I tried MSE (back when 1.0 was in Beta as Morro) did I finally feel that I found the right product for my machine. I've always instinctively felt that Microsoft should know its own operating system better than any other vendor and, therefore, be able to protect its OS better than anyone else. So far, MSE has lived up to all my expectations, including the new 2.0 Beta.

I've also noticed that MSE seems to update twice a day, even on weekends and holidays. The updates may be slow to arrive via Windows Updates but they can always be accessed directly from the Microsoft Malware Protection Center:

Install the latest Microsoft Security Essentials definition updates - Get the latest definitions - Microsoft Malware Protection Center

I don't know what code they have access to but all the anti-virus I have ever used have the ability to prevent an infection (and often do).

Depending on the infection, I agree with your second paragraph but it also holds true for MSE.

Actually, new and updated definitions released at least twice per day. However, unless you have updates set to automatically download & install, you will only get one update per day.

You can check the latest change log at Definition change log - Get the latest definitions - Microsoft Malware Protection Center. On the right-hand side of that page, you can "Change definition version". Check a few of the releases and note in particular the number of the updated definitions. Impressive.