Microsoft Security Essentials ranked second last in AV-Test's

[Ryan2320]

Microsoft Security Essentials Struggles in New Antivirus Tests

Microsoft's popular free antivirus program Security Essentials has put in a mediocre showing in the latest quarterly tests from German test outfit AV-Test.org, finishing second bottom out of 22 products.

In Q1 2011 Security Essentials 2.0 (MSE) performed well at the least demanding test, that of spotting malware drawn from the industry-agreed Wildlist selection, scoring 100 percent. It also put in a good performance against a large group of recent malware samples selected by AV-Test itself, with a creditable score of 97 percent detection.

However, the product's performance deteriorated sharply when pitted against 107 recent zero-day malware web and email malware attacks, described by AV-Test as 'real-world' testing', spotting only half. The product's performance in 'dynamic detection testing' - noticing malware on or post-execution - was also modest at only 45 percent.

For context, the test average for real-world and dynamic testing was 84 percent and 62 percent respectively.

The top-scoring product in the tests was BitDefender's Internet Security Suite 2011, with a maximum weighted score of 6.0 across all tests, ahead of BullGuard Internet Security 10, F-Secure Internet Security 2011, and Kaspersky Internet Security 2011, all on 5.5. MSE scored 2.5, ahead of only one product, CA Internet Security Suite 2011.

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[yowanvista]

Microsoft's free antivirus solution for all Windows users may be good in terms of usability - in particular, its impact on system performance - but when it comes to actual malware protection, it came almost dead last amongst its free and paid competitors in tests conducted during the first quarter of 2011 by German testing firm AV-Test. In fact, an almost identical observation can be made for AV-Test's previous tests conducted in the fourth quarter of 2010 on Windows Vista. Fortunately for Microsoft, despite these results the product did manage a pass and a certification from AV-Test.

Neowin.net - Microsoft Security Essentials ranked second last in AV-Test's protection rating

 

[StalkeR]

Thats great!

 

[Tarka Dal]

Only a chump uses the internet regularly uses MSE...
Fact!

 

[pparks1]

Only a chump uses the internet regularly uses MSE...
Fact!

I don't do much risky on the net at all. I don't pirate software, I don't visit adult sites, I don't use P2P apps to download movies, music, etc. But I do use the Internet a ton at home.

I use MSE on my main Windows 7 box. It's enough for what I need. It's quiet and it's small and it's interface is easy.

I'd much rather have less load on my box, then a system which provides more sophisticated malware detection at the expense of system performance. It's just not needed by me.

I don't use MSE because I don't know any better. I use it by choice, I've tried the others out and MSE is the fit for me. And because I haven't historically had any problems and don't venture into risky areas, I sure as hell won't pay for a piece of software. And working for a commercial software company myself, there is no way whatsoever that I would pirate a copy of a commercial AV application and run that instead.

 

[nailgunner]

Only a chump uses the internet regularly uses MSE...
Fact!

Guilty, and for more than a year. Should I change my name to "nailgunner the chump"?

 

[gregrocker]

These tests are often skewed to the sponsors of the sites. I'll believe Consumer Reports but that's about it. CNET has banner ads for the same software they review, often on the same page.

The real test is where the bits hit the road and that is what we witness via the realtime traffic here.

The bloatware AV's cause nothing but trouble while missing major infections, while MSE and Avast5 solve most of the lardies' problems, let Win7 run completely unhindered, and rarely do we see reports that they have missed major infection.

MS defends it's OS as though it's company's survival depends upon it. It's first effort at an AV is as much of a home run as it's latest OS - well worth betting the company upon. If it were anything less (hasta la Vista) you would be hearing about it here.

 

[fireberd]

Who is to say who's is really good or bad? I remember seeing an article where MSE finished tied at the top in a test.

I use MSE and recommend it to my clients (and most are using it without problems).

 

[G1LLY]

I don't do much risky on the net at all. I don't pirate software, I don't visit adult sites, I don't use P2P apps to download movies, music, etc. But I do use the Internet a ton at home.

I use MSE on my main Windows 7 box. It's enough for what I need. It's quiet and it's small and it's interface is easy.

I'd much rather have less load on my box, then a system which provides more sophisticated malware detection at the expense of system performance. It's just not needed by me...Snipped

+1

MSE is more than suitable, I've been using it since beta & have never had any problems to do with malware, I use other programs like Malwarebytes & Hitman Pro but they are both on-demand scanners, I've tried out Avast & a few other free AV programs but MSE suits my browsing needs just fine.

 

[johnwillyums]

Likewise. Been using it since it appeared and have not had a problem despite reasonably unsanitary internet use.

 

[richyrichuk]

my own opinon, dont trust m$ they still cant make there OS correctly (STILL) avira all the way.

 

[Commodore Pet]

The problem is "the best" keeps changing. One year brand A is great and brand B is garbage. The next year B is great and A is garbage. Norton, as an example used to set the standard for protection, then you were crazy to have it on your machine, now they are coming back again.

To keep the best protection on your machine you would have to change your software every 6 months. No one company seems to be able to reach the top and stay on top.

 

[seavixen32]

Only a chump uses the internet regularly uses MSE...
Fact!

That makes me a first-class chump then.

I've been using it since it was offered as an update, I haven't disabled UAC and run Malwarebytes regularly.

To be fair, it's free software and I certainly wouldn't pay for something like Norton or McAfee, which comes bundled with the major manufacturers' new computers.

 

[pparks1]

my own opinon, dont trust m$ they still cant make there OS correctly (STILL) avira all the way.

Why not really make a change and run OSX or Linux then?

 

[medhunter]

Who is to say who's is really good or bad? I remember seeing an article where MSE finished tied at the top in a test.

I use MSE and recommend it to my clients (and most are using it without problems).

pMaybe MSE runs without problem, But this can be due to inability of MSE to find a problem/virus/malware...

 

[gregrocker]

This is the place where we help fight some of the most serious infections - those which have completely locked up the OS often requiring wiping to clean reinstall.

The AV's which let these slip by are rarely MSE or Avast but more often the paid bloatware AV's.

 

[Xhi]

my own opinon, dont trust m$ they still cant make there OS correctly (STILL) avira all the way.

Well, not to troll but, why are you still using Windows then?

I've used windows, linux and osx. They have their strengths, and weaknesses. Since Microsoft has the majority of the market, everyone easily sees its faults and is quick to judge them.

To make it clear, I'm not defending Microsoft, I actually use Ubuntu Linux more at home and mostly Windows at work.

 

[yowanvista]

I left MSE a long time ago, it did not even manage to give me the protection I needed

 

[richyrichuk]

my own opinon, dont trust m$ they still cant make there OS correctly (STILL) avira all the way.

Well, not to troll but, why are you still using Windows then?

I've used windows, linux and osx. They have their strengths, and weaknesses. Since Microsoft has the majority of the market, everyone easily sees its faults and is quick to judge them.

To make it clear, I'm not defending Microsoft, I actually use Ubuntu Linux more at home and mostly Windows at work.

1 word. games.

i do have linux on several other machines. i would have a mac also, but u cant play most modern games, can play some but not all.

 

[Commodore Pet]

I left MSE a long time ago, it did not even manage to give me the protection I needed

If you don't mind me asking, what do you use?