Microsoft Security Essentials vs. Kaspersky, Avast, BitDefender, Avira

[brianzion]

Running nod32 it would update between 1 to 4 times a day.

about the same for kis i used to use and about the same for microsoft

 

[marsmimar]

Concerning automatic updates, there seems to be a bit of lag time from when the newest update is released by the Microsoft Malware Protection Center and when it actually gets installed on a machine. I can't speak for everybody else but my MSE updates are delivered via the usual Windows Update as an optional update. If you have your WU set to "Install updates automatically (recommended)" you'll definitely get them but probably a few hours after the actual release time depending on servers, internet traffic, etc.

In the beginning MSE 1.0 updates seemed to come out twice a day during the week and once a day on weekends and holidays. MSE 2.0 appears to offer updates more frequently. If you think your computer has fallen behind, you can always get the latest definition directly from MMPC:

Install the latest Microsoft Security Essentials definition updates - Get the latest definitions - Microsoft Malware Protection Center

 

[brianzion]

Concerning automatic updates, there seems to be a bit of lag time from when the newest update is released by the Microsoft Malware Protection Center and when it actually gets installed on a machine. I can't speak for everybody else but my MSE updates are delivered via the usual Windows Update as an optional update. If you have your WU set to "Install updates automatically (recommended)" you'll definitely get them but probably a few hours after the actual release time depending on servers, internet traffic, etc.

In the beginning MSE 1.0 updates seemed to come out twice a day during the week and once a day on weekends and holidays. MSE 2.0 appears to offer updates more frequently. If you think your computer has fallen behind, you can always get the latest definition directly from MMPC:

Install the latest Microsoft Security Essentials definition updates - Get the latest definitions - Microsoft Malware Protection Center

great info thanks

 

[toxicbob]

Concerning automatic updates, there seems to be a bit of lag time from when the newest update is released by the Microsoft Malware Protection Center and when it actually gets installed on a machine. I can't speak for everybody else but my MSE updates are delivered via the usual Windows Update as an optional update. If you have your WU set to "Install updates automatically (recommended)" you'll definitely get them but probably a few hours after the actual release time depending on servers, internet traffic, etc.


Install the latest Microsoft Security Essentials definition updates - Get the latest definitions - Microsoft Malware Protection Center

That is what I seemed to of encountered.

 

[Klaw117]

Concerning automatic updates, there seems to be a bit of lag time from when the newest update is released by the Microsoft Malware Protection Center and when it actually gets installed on a machine. I can't speak for everybody else but my MSE updates are delivered via the usual Windows Update as an optional update. If you have your WU set to "Install updates automatically (recommended)" you'll definitely get them but probably a few hours after the actual release time depending on servers, internet traffic, etc.


Install the latest Microsoft Security Essentials definition updates - Get the latest definitions - Microsoft Malware Protection Center

That is what I seemed to of encountered.

Just set Windows Update to update every day at a certain time and it will do it for you.

 

[thefabe]

Thanks for posting. Fabe

 

[CarlTR6]

I do not want automatic Windows Update on my system. Thus I update manually.

 

[Alphamale]

Hi guys nice articles and post. I have a question about the settings on this software. Should i check to create a system restore point?

 

[BomberAF]

I think the thing that MSE lacks which you get with a paid for AV is a spam filter for outlook, and you also lose some other features that a paid for AV offer. I do think the reason for this is because if they gave you an AV with full funcionailty then it would probably be anti competative, so I do think there is still good reasopn to buy an AV subscription.

 

[toughbook]

I have been using MSE since it was 1st introduced. The only thing that concerns me is that I have never seen one item in any of the Threat windows. Anybody else experience that?

 

[brianzion]

nice point but with a good email client you can filter your spam and control it ok thunderbird is ok for this and google is good at filters which you can define your own.

 

[toxicbob]

I was checking out a few questionable sites a few days ago, and I got a alert from MSE. I also am running spyware terminater it saved my rear a couple times a few years ago so I trust it. They both set off a alert. That tells me MSE is also anti spyware which is a good thing.

 

[brianzion]

EXTRACT FROM THERE SITE..Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.

Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.

it has the same security features of many products have a read of it on there site>>>http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
Microsoft Malware Protection Center

 

[marsmimar]

Hi guys nice articles and post. I have a question about the settings on this software. Should i check to create a system restore point?

If you check this option the restore point will be created "...before cleaning your computer." It's my understanding that a cleaning takes place: (a) only after a scan is run (whether automatic at a specific date/time or manually as an on demand scan) and (2) if malware is discovered.

If my understanding is correct, I would recommend checking this option for the following reasons:

1. If no scan is run, or if a scan is run but no malware is detected, then no restore point should be created.
2. If malware is detected and cleaned, a restore point could prove invaluable if your computer starts acting weird. Or, if the malware is actually a false positive and a needed file or registry entry is mistakenly deleted. (I've yet to get a false positive from MSE.)
3. Restore points themselves can later be deleted once you're satisfied your computer is functioning normally.

I do a manual scan about once a day on average. I haven't noticed any additional restore points being created. If you find that unnecessary restore points are being created on your machine you can always uncheck that option.

 

[brianzion]

Hi guys nice articles and post. I have a question about the settings on this software. Should i check to create a system restore point?

If you check this option the restore point will be created "...before cleaning your computer." It's my understanding that a cleaning takes place: (a) only after a scan is run (whether automatic at a specific date/time or manually as an on demand scan) and (2) if malware is discovered.

If my understanding is correct, I would recommend checking this option for the following reasons:

1. If no scan is run, or if a scan is run but no malware is detected, then no restore point should be created.
2. If malware is detected and cleaned, a restore point could prove invaluable if your computer starts acting weird. Or, if the malware is actually a false positive and a needed file or registry entry is mistakenly deleted. (I've yet to get a false positive from MSE.)
3. Restore points themselves can later be deleted once you're satisfied your computer is functioning normally.

I do a manual scan about once a day on average. I haven't noticed any additional restore points being created. If you find that unnecessary restore points are being created on your machine you can always uncheck that option.

have a look in this link there may be some help>Security Essentials Software Support | Microsoft Security Essentials
i have not got mine checked at the moment but i expect its best to check it so if you need to use the restore point created in case of failure of "cleaning"

 

[marsmimar]

[/QUOTE]
have a look in this link there may be some help>Security Essentials Software Support | Microsoft Security Essentials
i have not got mine checked at the moment but i expect its best to check it so if you need to use the restore point created in case of failure of "cleaning"[/QUOTE]

One thing I forgot to mention ... a system restore has limited use. As said many times on this forum, backing up and imaging your computer can save a whole bunch of time and hair-pulling. Even Microsoft says so.

System Restore - Windows 7 features - Microsoft Windows

There are some good tuts for Win 7 back up and imaging as well as using Macrium Reflect Free.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html?filter

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

 

[brianzion]

thanks i back mine up with a system image every month automatically thanks for the advice it helps the thread!

 

[smarteyeball]

Running nod32 it would update between 1 to 4 times a day.

Most of the update schedules can be changed.

For example, by default, Avast is set to check every 240mins.

 

[brianzion]

JUST FOUND THIS ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Security-Essentials-Alert-Is-Not-Microsoft-Security-Essentials-1-0-or-2-0-153318.shtml

i have started another thread for it http://www.sevenforums.com/news/106...ls-alert-not-microsoft-security-essentia.html

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
I've been saying all along that now MS is actually INTERESTED in securing its OS then the days of a lot of these 3rd party security software vendors are numbered.

MSE works really well now especially as it includes real time protection which is needed more and more now -- drive br infections can be caught from even "legitimate" websites.

The footprint is small and it integrates 100% with the OS -- which it SHOULD do since they are both MS code.

The corporate version Forefront Client Security is also a great package --MSE is actually based on the much more robust corporate package so you get for FREE basically an Enterprise security system.

That said it should be reminded that it is impossible to guarantee 100% protection so you should always take common sense precautions and backup your system regularly so you can restore again to a point BEFORE the computer becomes infected.

Once a system HAS become infected I wouldn't trust ANY virus removal system to cure it.


For me the only solution is a complete Disk format and either a complete OS re-install or a restore from a KNOWN CLEAN IMAGE.

Cheers
jimbo