MSE vs Avast

Which is a better antivirus? The free version of Avast or Microsoft Security Essentials?

Good advice above...

FYI - From a BSOD perspective Microsoft Security Essentials is recommended if other AntiVirus Software has been implicated - including Avast.

{Disclaimer. I don't use MSE or Avast.}

I had some experience with Avast not detecting infected files compressed in .rar. You'd have to open the archive first and check it there through Tools>Scan for viruses. In Avira/MBAM it was not so and would detect it as you download it or just through scanning the directory it is in. In Avast I get a "some files cannot be scanned" or a "no threat detected". But that's just me. And I still use AIS v6(without the firewall/Behavioral Shield) in one of my XP SP3 system(layered security with MBAM, CIS v5.5) working great here.

As Golden very well stated(very nice at that), it is dependent on the user's preference. That is always correct because it is the user who will decide if he wants it or not. Some will play good on his system but in others it may vary.

Equally it is to be considered how the user will setup the app to perform very well for him and protect him/making it an efficient tool for him. Have seen others use an app but do not have a rats ass how to even have the proper setting and how they behave/do when he encounters a detection. A good read about it is here.

Test both (one at a time and if possible "both" --placing the necessary exclusions ineach..have not used both at the same time but hey it may play well with you..) so you will know what will fit your habit/wants for a security app.

New version of Avast is ver6.0.1270(beta) Stable version is still v6.0.1203. Some info here.

Goodluck :)

I had some experience with Avast not detecting infected files compressed in .rar. You'd have to open the archive first and check it there through Tools>Scan for viruses.

This is because rar files are inactive and even if you have viruses inside a rar file it wont harm your syatem in any way. And when you extract the rar file avast filesystem shield will scan it even before opening the file and if it detect danger it will qurentine the virus before it can even run.

IMO avast is better than MSE i have not tried MSE lately so don't know about its present condition but in the past i found it slow and a pity basic protection and most importantly it has update problem. I use avast and i like it mainly because it is very light on resourse has decent detection rate and is very flexible you can configure it any way you want. Also feature wise it is very rich. it has autosandbox, webshield, boottime scan, behaviour detection and its very fast.

edit: which ever AV you choose don't forget to combile it with some on demand scanner like MBAM, SAS or hitman pro

@gautam7,

You are right that .rar files are inactive and that the File Shield will spring into action once opened and that it is safe until the infected .rar file is opened. I think that was also a topic in Avast facebook fanpage or was it the Avast forums...or was it Wilders'... Shared my experience so the probable Avast user will know some information same as all. This will help him in his selection in addition to his trial. Experienced that late 2011 when I was with AvastPro ver5+. Downloaded the same file from the same site with another pc I have with Avira/MBAM and both stopped it cold during download.

Though the files .rar files are inactive/safe I prefer during the download that Avast will detect it so the download will be cut/stopped. It is inconvenient for the user if after a long/large download, say, a .rar/packed file, say, a repacked- WAIK (which is a 1gb file) downloaded from a site other than Microsoft but a site from a notable forum, the user will be surprised/dismayed that what he downloaded is infected. Time/resources was lost.

Anyway that's only an example and of course good/safe surfing habits is king as well as common sense. As stated I use AIS v6 in a couple of my systems still. Feature rich and popular if I might add. Personally I do not use the Behavioral Shield/Auto-Sandbox/Sandbox as I have SBIE and CIS with D+ in one and Behavioral Shield/Auto-Sandbox/Sandbox/WebShield in the other one with PrevxSOL/Online Armor Premium.

Tested MSE twice last year and well did not like it. Though straight to the point I believe it lacks power and need be in addition to a layered set-up and not just a standalone app. Don't know about the latest version though... If having to choose MSE over a freeware like CIS v5 suite, I'd choose Comodo hands-down. But then again that's just me.

:)

It is inconvenient for the user if after a long/large download, say, a .rar/packed file, say, a repacked- WAIK (which is a 1gb file) downloaded from a site other than Microsoft but a site from a notable forum, the user will be surprised/dismayed that what he downloaded is infected. Time/resources was lost.

Agree with your point but thats the way avast work. And apart from time/resourse lost there are no security risk.