Solved Anti Virus protection (MSE)

Please, I have been using MSE for the past year or so but I'm starting to question it's reliability. My question is, compared to other free AV's how does MSE rate. Let me say that many free AV's come with bundled software that I don't care for. Does anyone have an opinion.

You are going to get all kinds of opinions on this question, it all boils down to which you feel safe using and be smart when browsing the Internet and downloading and installing.
I have been using MSE and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Pro for over 3 years and I have never had an infected computer.

Jerry

@Bongo: Are you saying that you have both of those anti-virus programs installed on the same computer? If so, that's a very bad thing to do.

Malwarebytes PRO realtime protection is designed to co-exist with AVs.

There have been reports in the press that MS are no longer recommending MSE.

barnabas1969 said:

@Bongo: Are you saying that you have both of those anti-virus programs installed on the same computer? If so, that's a very bad thing to do.

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No it's not Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Pro and MSE get along just fine you will find others using Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Pro along with their AV here on the forum.

Jerry

I use Avast and Malwarebytes together and have for years. Also use SuperAntispyware on a regular basis (on demand scanning only)

I've used both MSE and Avast free and have found that Avast beats the holy snot out of MSE. I've seen many people who recommended using both at the same time but, when I tried to do the same, it did not end well. MSE by itself wasn't much better. MSE has been consistently ranking low in independent tests for a long time now yet there are still people who feel it's good.

MBAM is not an AV. It's an anti-malware program that is designed to backup a good AV. One might get away with using an inferior AV like MSE by having MBAM in place to catch what the inferior AV misses but that just increases one's chances for an infection slipping past both the AV and MBAM.

Other programs, such as SuperAntiSpyware (SAS) and Spybot S&D are designed to catch malware other than viruses many AVs, especially MSE, are not designed to catch, such as spyware, tracking cookies, adware, etc. The better AVs, including some freebies like Avast, will also catch most malware as well as viruses.

MSE really failed me.When hit by a malware, it utterly stopped dead at its track.Free AV is marginally OK!. I still have to use paid annually AV to keep malware out, sometimes the AV software only suppress not clean the system. Once the subscrition is over, well the malware works its magic.All hells break loose! Supernatural like the Sam and Dean Winchester.

I have found nothing by Microsoft that states that Microsoft doesn't want people to use Microsoft Security Essentials.
I have seen editorials and opinions by some sites by some writers but nothing by Microsoft.

In an interview with Dennis Protection Labs, Holly Stewart, the senior program manager of the Microsoft Malware Protection Center, said that Microsoft Security Essentials was just a “baseline” that’s designed to “always be on the bottom” of antivirus tests. She said Microsoft sees MSE as a first layer of protection and advises Windows users to use a third-party antivirus instead.
According to Holly Stewart, Microsoft “had an epiphany a few years ago, back in 2011, where we realised we had a greater calling and that was to protect all Microsoft customers.” She says that Microsoft passes its information on to other antivirus makers and helps them make their products better. “We used to have part of our time directed towards predicting test results,” but these people have now been directed to focus on emerging threats and share that information with other antivirus companies.
She went on: “We’re providing all of that data and information to our partners so they can do at least as well as we are. The natural progression is that we will always be on the bottom of these tests. And honestly, if we are doing our job correctly, that’s what will happen.”
Nevertheless, she argues that “baseline does not equal bad” and says they provide a high-quality antivirus. But Microsoft themselves are recommending users not use MSE, so it’s hard to take that seriously.

That is the same article that keeps getting removed because it has no valid source.

You are absolutely correct derekimo.
It just sends you from editorial to editorial to editorial but nothing from Microsoft. All they do is state so and so said so and so but no proof that so and so said anything.
It is nothing but hearsay that some how some members want to spread around.

Lady Fitzgerald said:

In an interview with Dennis Protection Labs, Holly Stewart, the senior program manager of the Microsoft Malware Protection Center, said that Microsoft Security Essentials was just a “baseline” that’s designed to “always be on the bottom” of antivirus tests. She said Microsoft sees MSE as a first layer of protection and advises Windows users to use a third-party antivirus instead.
According to Holly Stewart, Microsoft “had an epiphany a few years ago, back in 2011, where we realised we had a greater calling and that was to protect all Microsoft customers.” She says that Microsoft passes its information on to other antivirus makers and helps them make their products better. “We used to have part of our time directed towards predicting test results,” but these people have now been directed to focus on emerging threats and share that information with other antivirus companies.
She went on: “We’re providing all of that data and information to our partners so they can do at least as well as we are. The natural progression is that we will always be on the bottom of these tests. And honestly, if we are doing our job correctly, that’s what will happen.”
Nevertheless, she argues that “baseline does not equal bad” and says they provide a high-quality antivirus. But Microsoft themselves are recommending users not use MSE, so it’s hard to take that seriously.

Click to expand...

Why are you perpetuating this bogus rumor? I know you don't like MSE, but use substantiated source material to bash it.

About half the users here use MSE with MBAM in realtime, and SASW as a backup. When I started using 7 I started with MSE, I have not had any kind a virus problem. I do get malware and spyware but MSE is not designed for those. That's why most use MBAM and SASW.

madcratebuilder said:

Lady Fitzgerald said:

In an interview with Dennis Protection Labs, Holly Stewart, the senior program manager of the Microsoft Malware Protection Center, said that Microsoft Security Essentials was just a “baseline” that’s designed to “always be on the bottom” of antivirus tests. She said Microsoft sees MSE as a first layer of protection and advises Windows users to use a third-party antivirus instead.
According to Holly Stewart, Microsoft “had an epiphany a few years ago, back in 2011, where we realised we had a greater calling and that was to protect all Microsoft customers.” She says that Microsoft passes its information on to other antivirus makers and helps them make their products better. “We used to have part of our time directed towards predicting test results,” but these people have now been directed to focus on emerging threats and share that information with other antivirus companies.
She went on: “We’re providing all of that data and information to our partners so they can do at least as well as we are. The natural progression is that we will always be on the bottom of these tests. And honestly, if we are doing our job correctly, that’s what will happen.”
Nevertheless, she argues that “baseline does not equal bad” and says they provide a high-quality antivirus. But Microsoft themselves are recommending users not use MSE, so it’s hard to take that seriously.

Click to expand...

Why are you perpetuating this bogus rumor? I know you don't like MSE, but use substantiated source material to bash it.

About half the users here use MSE with MBAM in realtime, and SASW as a backup. When I started using 7 I started with MSE, I have not had any kind a virus problem. I do get malware and spyware but MSE is not designed for those. That's why most use MBAM and SASW.

Click to expand...

Because I don't feel it's bogus. If it is, where is M$'s rebuttal? And my dislike of MSE is based on personal experience and multiple independent AV reviews.

Sometimes, I personally feel that MS is using all the users as testbed for their product(s),for what other purpose(s)I don't know.Why MS gives a false impression that Win7 or other versions of OS platform are protected when a free MSE failed to do its job?

Microsoft monitors those of us that allow it so they have a first hand look at what is and is not. Yes that could be called a testbed but it allows them to see what works and doesn't work for their customers.
Microsoft has many programs that work with their customers to try and improve there products. Personally I don't see a problem with that.
Many companies use testbeds; it called Beta.

Here is a example that one can choose when using Microsoft Security Essentials. ( MAPS)

Most if not all independent antivirus testing companies list MSE as "baseline".

I too have seen the article posted in more than one place in the past couple of weeks, Softpedia comes to mind where I read it most recently.

IMO, I want antivirus software that is made by a company that does nothing but antivirus software, this way you know everything they have goes into that software. I don't trust antivirus software made by companies that dabble a little in this and that ..... even if it is Microsoft.

Personally I am not a real big fan of MSE, never have been, therefore I take the article for what it says, even if there is no source and being that Microsoft over the past couple of weeks has not come out to rebut it only confirms it more for me.

I am not going to slam the product because to me it's good for anyone who purchases a new computer because they will be somewhat protected when they first plug it in and start surfing, at least until they install a better product.

I too have had more than one bad experience while using MSE that I won't go into here but has brought me to my own conclusions about MSE. It's just very basic antivirus, it will not catch a lot of the stuff the other free antivirus vendors such as Avast! will, there are also a lot of stuff that even if it does catch it, it cannot remove, whereas you will have to resort to 3rd party removal tools to eradicate the infection.

If your just a basic surfer and do not download a lot of files and are comfortable with MSE, more power to you. If you download a lot of files, torrents and visit "seedy" parts of the web I would highly recommend using a better antivirus product.

As long as you don't forget MSE was designed around Internet explorer,
Which has it's own Security protocols.
Every Security suite is Beta because they are constantly evolving via updates daily-hourly.... which ever the case maybe.

Btw here you go: Our commitment to Microsoft antimalware - Microsoft Malware Protection Center - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

It was just some foolish reporter taking an interview and pulling out strings of text minus any form of context.

Thanks. That's good to know.