Microsoft security essential ? with Malwarebytes ?

[lizzrd]

My Norton internet security is about to expire. I found it to be good but not great . I have 3 kids and not so observing wife when it comes to internet content. I find my pc running slow often lately, so looking for a change.
Would i need to uninstall it completely by using uninstall programs first if i would like to go with MSE, and the same for a download of malwarebytes ? i also would have no problem buying the premium or pro ? version if that's the safest way to go.
I also do not see MSE on my pc, do i need to find it and do a unistall also or get rid of Norton then update it ?
Thanks in advance for helping in advance...

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I have no idea if you currently have MSE, but you shouldn't have both it and Norton running.

If you want to use MSE, yes, get Norton completely uninstalled first.

MSE is a download from Microsoft's web site.

Malwarebytes free removes bad stuff, but doesn't prevent it from entering your PC.

Malwarebytes Pro ($25 a year I think) DOES both prevent and remove. Neither version conflicts with MSE. The paid version also offers scheduling and automatic updates.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Malwarebytes Pro ($25 a year I think) DOES both prevent and remove. Neither version conflicts with MSE. The paid version also offers scheduling and automatic updates.

That is correct.

MBAM Free is only a manual, on-demand scanner to REMOVE infections already on the computer.

MBAM Premium provides layered, real-time protection alongside an AV, to target zero-hour and zero day threats alongside an AV, in order to help PREVENT infection. But it is NOT a substitute for an AV. You still need a robust AV.

Consumer licenses are approximately $25 a year, subscription. But each license may be activated on up to 3 PCs in the same household at one time. Safest source is the Malwarebytes Online Store. If you purchase elsewhere, only use a reputable vendor, and do NOT buy from eBay.

>>Be wary of a price that sounds too good to be true and especially wary of any offer for a "lifetime" license (as those are essentially no longer available).
>> And there never was such a thing as a multi-PC, lifetime license -- such an offering is guaranteed to be fake.

Cheers,

 

[lizzrd]

thanks for the replies ... i'll post back with my findings/experiences

 

[akjudge]

lizzrd,

You may want to use Norton's Removal Tool instead of Windows Uninstaller (or some other 3rd party uninstaller). Norton products burro deep into your OS and are notorious for not completely uninstalling.

Here is a link to Norton's Removal Tool with instructions:

https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20080710133834EN_EndUserProfile_en_us

Jim

 

[Layback Bear]

Like akjudge, I also recommend using Norton's Removal tool.

https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/...rProfile_en_us

I have used MSE and Malware Premium active together for years and they have served me well.

Like any other security methods it all depends on the person behind the keyboard.

Take a read through this tutorial by Brink. It could be helpful with your children using the computer.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/54360-parental-controls-setup-use.html

 

[Uniqueness]

MSE is good, and with malware bytes, you should be protected.
However, malware bytes FREE will let you scan and remove the malware (if there is any).
The premium version will give you fill time protection and also prevent malware.

To conclude,
MSE and Malware Bytes should be fine, but MBAM premium would be 100x better, and/or getting a premium, paid antivirus.

 

[3Colors]

Another scenario with other antivirus : Using ESET, it would be sufficient with Microsoft Defender or will be recommended with MBAM Free. Or only with the AV.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Another scenario with other antivirus : Using ESET, it would be sufficient with Microsoft Defender or will be recommended with MBAM Free. Or only with the AV.

Hi, @3Colors:

Regardless of which anti-virus one uses (free or paid), MBAM Free is ONLY a manual, on-demand scanner.
It does NOT provide real-time protection. It can only detect and REMOVE malware that has already made it past the anti-virus onto the computer.

For real-time protection by MBAM alongside the anti-virus to help PREVENT infection, one needs the paid, MBAM Premium version.

Cheers,

 

[ThrashZone]

Windows defender is only considered an antivirus in win-8 & 8.1 and now win-10
Not in win-7
Win-7 needs MSE to be considered as having an antivirus
Which MSE has it's own version of windows defender along with other doo-da's

 

[3Colors]

Hi MoxieMomma,

That would be the best configuration, AV with MBAM Real time protection. If be want to save money one method would be to make an analysis 2 times per week with the free version. I think.


ThrashZone : MSE has already included the services of WD ? I did not know it.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

Hi MoxieMomma,

That would be the best configuration, AV with MBAM Real time protection. If be want to save money one method would be to make an analysis 2 times per week with the free version. I think.

Yes, of course.
One can only do what one can afford.

OTOH, $25 US/year works out to less than 7 cents a day for one computer or less than 3 cents a day for each of 3 PCs.
To me, that small cost is worth it and is much cheaper than the time, aggravation and lost data recovering from a malware infection.
Prevention is always better than cleanup after the fact, IMHO.

BUT: One can only do what one can afford and what works best for one's own computing needs, budget, risk tolerance, etc.

Cheers,

 

[Layback Bear]

People spend $50.00 for a game and then cry about $25.00 a year for security for up to 3 computers a year. I don't understand.

When one pays a shop to clean up the mess, $25.00 a year will seem cheap.
Folks a quality case fan will cost $25.00. Surly security is worth the price of a fan.

 

[lizzrd]

not sure where to begin, I am typing this in safe mode. I could not log into to Chrome today, or maybe I just got tired of waiting for it to load. Everything is super slow. I did manage to get on IE in safe mode and get rid of Norton and then install Malwarebytes, 14 day premium, and ran a scan. It found something like 148 unwanted pups and ?
I still get a running load circle when logging on. Takes forever. Again in IE I tried to load MSEssentials but it will not take it in safe mode. Out of safe mode I cannot even log into the internet.
where to start please...
also I did find a way to get windows defender , but I have windows 7... ?
also takes a very long time to log off and close programs so I can restart for the safe mode.

 

[MoxieMomma]

I did manage to get on IE in safe mode and get rid of Norton and then install Malwarebytes,

For the record, MBAM is NOT an anti-virus, so it would not be a suitable replacement for Norton.
MBAM Premium is designed to run alongside a robust AV, to provide complementary, layered protection.

Malware is one explanation for a slow computer, but it's not the only one.
There are some excellent tutorials HERE and HERE.

Having said that, if you've been without adequate, robust, and uninterrupted real-time anti-virus and anti-malware protection, then you certainly could be infected.
See HERE and HERE.

I suggest either waiting for some expert help here (e.g. from @jacee or @cottonball), or heading over to one of the reputable computer disinfection fora (e.g. at bleepingcomputer.com, forums.malwarebytes.org, etc.) for free, expert help with scanning, cleaning and repairing the system.

Thank you,

 

[UsernameIssues]

...I also do not see MSE on my pc, do i need to find it and do a unistall also or get rid of Norton then update it ?...

I did not see anyone directly answer your questions.
But it seems like you already figured out that you need to...
...download MSE
...uninstall Norton (already done)
...install MSE
...update MSE.

Since you seem to be having trouble connecting to the internet in the normal mode...
...use the safe mode to download the ~13MB MSE installer
Microsoft Security Essentials - Microsoft Windows
...save it to your desktop - do not try to install it

...use the safe mode to download the ~126MB MSE updates
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/971606#/en-us/kb/971606
...save it to your desktop - do not try to install it

...boot to the normal mode and try to install MSE from there. On one of the last screens that the installer presents, uncheck the option to Scan my computer for potential threats after getting the latest updates.

MSE will try to update - if that fails, double click on the ~126MB MSE update file that you downloaded while in the safe mode.


If none of the above works out for you, then maybe it is time to scan the computer while it is not running the operating system. See this tool: What is Windows Defender Offline? - Windows Help

 

[lizzrd]

after trying to fix/find the problem 8 hours, two sessions, i called the dreaded Dell support.
I actually got a respectful and easy to understand agent. Even though it took him/we for a 3 hour session, i felt he did well.
It turned out to be a very bad virus that came with a coupon printer download.
After calling Norton after i asked how did i get this, as Norton was running at the time. I also asked ' my agent ' the same.
Both said new viruses are created everyday, some better than most. Anyway , the Norton contact gave me a renew price
of $45 ? maybe 55 , 3 pcs. ... going forward, thanks again.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Yep, as I mentioned here, I suspected that you were infected (though, to be semantically clear, it probably was non-viral MALWARE, not a true "virus"; see here).

I'm glad you got it resolved.
I, too, recently had a very unexpectedly positive experience with Dell phone tech support (for a hardware issue).
Quality has waxed and waned dramatically over the years.
But they seem to have "upped" their game a bit, lately.

Thanks for letting us know.

P.S. Here are a few links with helpful information:

The complexity of finding, preventing, and cleanup from malware
Answers to common security questions - Best Practices
So how did I get infected in the first place?
How did I get infected?
List of well known antivirus products
Six tips to help you stay safer online

Cheers,
MM

 

[lizzrd]

thanks again for those links, something myself and wife are going to go thru ... and make up afterwards