MSE worries

Jacee · 16 Oct 2013

You can always run a 'free on-line' scanner, such as ESET:

Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
ESET OnlineScan
Click the button.
For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)
1. Click on to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
2. Double click on the icon on your desktop.
Check
Click the button.
Accept any security warnings from your browser.
Check
Push the Start button.
ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
When the scan completes, push
Push , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
Push the button.
Push

urbanspaceman1 · 16 Oct 2013

Thank-you Jacee; I have used ESET before and found it most satisfactory.
Actually, it may well have been you that suggested it!

Layback Bear · 16 Oct 2013

I have used Eset on line scanners also and I'm well pleased with it.

urbanspaceman1 · 16 Oct 2013

I originally chose KAS because it allowed everything to be turned on or, more particularly, off: so reducing the footprint on an old W98 machine. I stayed with it because it was the devil I knew but in truth I spent so much time learning how to drive the beast I was becoming obsessed. I asked for suggestions for a security system I could simply activate and forget. There was obviously no such thing but MSE kept getting recommended and I must agree, it was an activate and forget affair that, to date, has never presented me with any problems. Maybe I am fortunate, or maybe others are unfortunate; either way there are certainly some impassioned arguments out there (not just on this forum, I mean) when it comes to MSE.

Layback Bear · 16 Oct 2013

Just some suggestions.
1. Use security programs that you feel safe with.
2. Use security programs that you don't have to spend all your time fiddling with.
3. Use security programs that work well with Windows 7 and other security programs that you choose to use.
**************
I personally don't believe in all the test reports because in my opinion they are designed to sell anti virus programs.
I personally go by my own experiences and reading Forms like this one and watching what people use and don't have problems with. I have use many store bought anti virus programs through the years. Microsoft Security Essential is the first free anti virus program I have ever used. I started using Microsoft Security Essentials on two computers 5/16/2011 and have had no problems.
About a year later I added Malwarebytes Anti Malware Professional which runs at boot active also. This set up works for me.
Is Microsoft Security Essential the best anti virus out there? I can't tell which security programs are the best because I really don't know. I just know it works for me and it works well with Windows 7.

marsmimar · 16 Oct 2013

I'm another who uses MSE. If memory serves, Microsoft released the MSE beta (originally code named Morro) in June 2009 with a final version to the general public in September 2009. That's when I started using MSE and I've been using it ever since. I also regularly use 3 on-demand scanners to check my computers (Malwarebytes, SupeAntispyware and Hitman Pro.) And I occasionally throw in ESET Online Scanner. No malware has ever been detected so either MSE is doing its job or every other product in my arsenal has equally failed.

Some people will bad mouth MSE just as some will bad mouth AVG, or Norton, or Kaspersky, or Avast, or Avira, or any of the other products out there. It's called personal preference. I believe that using some kind of anti-malware is better than using nothing at all. No anti-malware will be 100% effective 100% of the time. If there was such a thing we'd all be using it. I'm going to continue to use MSE because I believe it has worked for me. You might find this article an interesting read.

Do I Need to Stop Using Microsoft Security Essentials? ? Ask Leo!

urbanspaceman1 · 16 Oct 2013

Hello Layback Bear. Sounds like considered and sensible advice to me and is thoroughly re-assuring to boot, although I was looking for re-assurance anyway having been startled by the broo-ha-ha.
I have (as have you I see) made a mental note regarding the popularity of Avast and its future potential should MSE misbehave.
Equally, Marsmimar, sound advice, thank-you; and thank-you for the article.

Lady Fitzgerald · 16 Oct 2013

Layback Bear said:

...I personally don't believe in all the test reports because in my opinion they are designed to sell anti virus programs...

Most (if not all) of the test reports I've seen are NOT affiliated with any AV companies.

glassofwater · 16 Oct 2013

MSE offers very basic protection, if you have a low chance to expose to virus and malware, MSE would be just fine.

UsernameIssues · 16 Oct 2013

I'm not a fan of MSE - but I still install it on most every computer that I support (and that is quite a few). MSE is easy on the resources and it gets along with other software. In particular, software that installs low level file filters like online backup apps.

What I really do not like about MSE is its heuristics. It lets stuff happen that should never happen. It should at least ask the user if it is okay to add a shell app to this key:

Code:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

I've been playing with a ransomware file for about a week now. I used Process Monitor to watch it infect an isolated virtual machine. MSE was fine with the download and the infection process. Uploading that tiny infected file to Google's Virustotal showed AVAST was okay with it, as was Malwarebytes. [A scan via Virustotal does not have any heuristics involved - so it is not a way to rate antivirus tools.]

I've been playing with malware like this for many years now and I have a feel for how the major AV tools work. AVAST flagged the ransomware file during the infection process (based on heuristics). As of this post, MSE is still fine with me installing this ransomware on a computer that it is "protecting".

Before MSE was around, I installed AVAST and AVG on lots of computers that I support. I stopped using AVG when they started loading their signature list into the SYSTEM process. This was crippling weaker hardware.

If AVAST would stop requiring repeated registration, I might use them for most of those that I support. My elderly users have incorrectly blamed that registration process for an uptick in SPAM and/or they call me to help them complete the annual reregistration :-(