microsoft security essentials

Hi,

I recently purchased a lenovo laptop for home purpose around 1.5 months back. The laptop was having already microsoft security essentials (MSE) and mcafee antivirus plus software. Unfortunately, yesterday i was facing blue screen on death type of error (BSOD) error. On one forum, I found that it may be due to the mcafee antivirus software. So, I uninstalled the software as per suggestion.
My questions is :
Why MSE was not able to detect this bsod error ?
Moreover, why mcafee, which itself is a anti-virus software, was causing this issue?
Please help to know the exact issues in detail.

Morever, I want to install good free antivirus software. I am totally confused whether should I install the antivirus software or, the internet security software. Please throw more light on good free internet security software from longer perspective. (I just found that almost all free trials are only for 1 month only)? Moreover, why built-in windows firewall and microsoft security essentials (MSE) are not enough for detecting malacious software. Why extra internet security software or antivirus software is required ?

Thanks,
Ashish

Golden said:

Hi,

Neither MSE (nor McCrappee for that matter) are designed to detect BSOD's - they are designed to detect malware, which is something totally different.

McCrappe is crap, thats why it is a known cause of BSOD, certainly in the many thousands of cases we see here.

MSE is good enough for the average user. If you are diligent about your internet surfing habits, it will be good enough for you.

If you need more help with your BSOD, read this:
https://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...tructions.html

Regards,
Golden

I use MSE and it has caused no problems, please could you post the BSOD error, so we can see what was the exact cause of the BSOD.

It's good to know that you have uninstalled McAfee as that would have the first thing, most people would have suggested that you do, since McAfee is a common cause of BSODs.

it means that microsoft security essentials (mse) cannot detect mccrappe.
can you please shed more light on mccrappe and whether mccrappe is part of the mcafee antivirus software ?
Moreover, can you please shed more light on free internet security or, antivirus software and whether should i go for antivirus or, internet security software (means, which one is the best) and, why extra internet security or, antivirus software is needed if microsoft security essentials is doing the same thing?

You likely had the BSOD because you had 2 Antivirus applications installed at the same time. Microsoft Security Essentials is the only one you need, you just need to go through the settings and make sure you perform DAILY updates and daily/weekly system scans. Also, make sure you got rid of that other AV program completely. If you want extra security, you can use Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware in conjunction with Microsoft Security Essentials. Both are free and updated daily.

Kelly

X2 on the BSOD likely being caused by having McAfee and MSE being installed at the same time. When set correctly, MSE will automatically download virus definition updates. Program updates will be through Microsoft monthly updates (if you don't already, I suggest you set your computer to automatically download and install Microsoft updates). With McAfee removed, you should have no more troubles (I also agree McAfee is less than desireable).

In addition to MBAM (aka Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware), SAS (Super Anti-Spyware) is a good addition. These programs differ from MSE because they primarily go after different kinds of malware. Both are able to catch most viruses that slip past MSE (no anti-virus program will block all viruses) but also catch malware like spyware that MSE isn't designed to catch. There are Anti-virus Suites that combine the functions of MSE, MBAM, and SAS, but you have to pay for the good ones to use them every year (not all the paid suites are good and the few free ones are not as good as MSE, MBAM, and SAS) but, besides the expense, most will slow your computer down.

Thanks All for your suggestions.
I decided to go only with MSE + MBAM + SAS.