Windows 7: Microsoft Security Essentials In Action

Best way to make sure it is legit is to wait till monday then you can download it from microsoft.

I installed MSE - which required "validation" (WGA) - without problems and it appears to be working fine. Below is a link to a review at pcmag.com, which is generally positive. FYI, the version number is 1.0.2140.0. It will be interesting to see if the version released on the 23rd is the same.

Microsoft Security Essentials beta - At A Glance - Reviews by PC Magazine

Does MSE have a firewall or do you have to use Windows Firewall with it?
How does it compare in features/performance to Norton Internet Security 2009 or 360?

Hi redsoxm16, what you came across is a malicious Java Script embedded in a web page ... you might want to clear your Java cache too.

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MSE is a combination antivirus and antispyware - it combines antivirus with the current Windows Defender. It doesn't include a new firewall so you would want to keep using the Windows Firewall. I don't notice any slowdown since installing MSE. NIS2009 and N360 3.0 are also easy on system resources and they offer more features...for a price

Careful with N360. If your not paying CLOSE attention it'll upload the entire contents of your HD to Norton's own "secure servers" automatically. And currently trying to delete it one you realise the mistake will take you hours of deleting files by hand.

This kind of behavior is becoming shockingly common. The latest Google Desktop will also upload your HD index file to Googles servers, though thankfully (for now) it's opt-in... I'm not a conspiracy nut, but companies are really pushing the boundaries hard lately.

Don't honestly know how you can say that. 360 asks you to set what files you want backed up. There is no default action.

That is true, there is no default action for that, i already use NIS2009 and 360, and if you want you can disable the backup feature going on Settings > Right Panel > Uncheck Backup

I'm using Kaspersky right now, but i don't like it, it is beta but..

So i think i may change to Secure Essentials

MSE will be available for the public to Beta test it tommorrow, June 23rd.

Does the average person immediately think that "Backup" means uploading everything to some companies servers?

The answer is (based on emprical evidence) "no".

In fact after this happened, the person I had to help out of the situation tried calling norton and they had not even considered that there would be any reason anyone would ever want to delete more than the occasional file off their site, thus the no "remove all" features for the "backup".

Companies are increasingly just assuming that the average person is ok with anything they do with their personal data, and sadly, maybe they are. But it is also becoming incresingly difficult for people that DO care to actually prevent it.