Windows 7: Which is the best?

A friend of mine the other day asked me which was the best: NIS 2010 or MSE.
Since they both are good, I could't really decide.



I tried comparing pros and cons but that didn't work either.

Its easy whichever you will use ALL the time. There is a thread like this about once a week and we always seem to have everyone with a different opinion. You could search the previous threads for every ones preferences if you are inclined.

I analyze BSOD's and have seen MANY caused by NIS so I wouldn't recommend that. MSE is lightweight but works and doesn't seem to cause crashes.

I personally use something else.

Ken

Same here as a rule. On the main case I'll be found running the VIPRE Premium which includes a firewall for that retail software. Quite effective at that. But that's just another "opinion" from observing it in use here.

On an old build 6-7yrs. I'm going through I just added the beta 2 version of the MS SEesentials now available for download over at connect. That you have to sign up for in order to participate in the beta program however.

I think MSE uses less resources, integrates well with windows, isn't intrusive, and, oh year, it's free

A Guy

The one I have on now is also quite light on resources but you pay for the 2yr. license while still reasonable. My only complaint with the MS SE was no detection when a trojan was being placed on the driive. When scanning later it came up.

With the retail program the entire site it came from would have been blocked from view entirely. But that has the additional protection layer in it being a retail product. The old av here even when being disabled in the mscnfig sprang to life when something was put on some time ago but would never offer the same for that other option while the MS SE did find this one.

Differences are common between each as well as what they actually cover. The best advice anyone can pass along is getting familiar with multiple layers and not putting all confidences into any one program by itself as unfortunately many do.

NIS is better than MSE, it contains many additional features not included in MSE

I agree with all points. Microsoft has really made paid security software rather moot these days.

simply put... the one that works for you.... or your friend in this case

sermon:
but if you want third party firewall/password manager/the norton insights/quorums/secret sauce/sonars and are willing to shell $$$ year after year then -NIS
however...if you are willing to have a no nonsense..no frills... yet pretty effective av that's free then- MSE

I'm laughing because I didn't immediately know what NIS and MSE were referring to;
Looks like I'm avoiding both....

Guessing Norton and M$ products for protection, yeah easy skip based on reputations that to me are unforgivable in these areas.

M$=bloat
Norton=bloat
bloat=lagged PC
lagged PC=unhappy user
unhappy user=
thus M$ & Norton fare=

I've been avoiding those brands for this for years....

Passwords wise, snag KeePass Password Safe (free) and awesome!

The working set of MSE is rather large. NIS 2010 is much smaller. It may not matter, but it is a point to retain.
In the professional AV comparisons, NIS2010 gets much higher marks than MSE. At least in the ones I have seen. See example below - NIS2010 is under Symantec.
I use both (on different systems). I never had trouble with NIS, but some with MSE.