Which is the best?

[codyw]

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.

 

[zigzag3143]

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

 

[Night Hawk]

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.

 

[A Guy]

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

A Guy

 

[Night Hawk]

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.

 

[yowanvista]

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

 

[JonM33]

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

A Guy

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

 

[thathagat]

A friend of mine the other day asked me which was the best: NIS 2010 or MSE.

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

 

[Faladu]

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!

 

[whs]

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

A Guy

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

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.

 

[Grimmjow]

My opinion for the best AV is:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html
(doesn't have to be macrium)

After you'll do that, use something that is recommended from the majority of power users around, usually a combo. Example: MSE+Comodo firewall+Malwarebytes+SAS+asquared (real time+on demand) plus you can use something like hosts file, winpatrol etc. If you use FF nice ad-dons are noscript and flashblock plus, and of course, use common sense to stay protected while surfing. That would be the general advice that works just fine for most of the users.
cheers

 

[Night Hawk]

I could readily agree with "common sense" as far as browsing habits. Yet with the MS SE on the Bing search results in one instance saw the first site at the top place a trojan on the system when not having the former av program's(free version) IE security toolbar enabled.

What does that say for the SE? It did detect once on but "did not" prevent it from getting on showing the need again for multiple layers. You can name all the programs you want but don't be fooled assuming any one program is the best for that type since something will get past that while not another.

The best advice is having the strongest defense in order to provide the best offense against the various types of malwares that haven't even been written yet.

 

[A Guy]

I use Avast and Avira as an on demand scanner. I have layers of protection. Tried to download the trojan simulator, and even disabling each program as it detected it, I never was allowed to download it, lol. If it gets past the front line, it gets tackled by the back line

Trojan Simulator

A Guy

 

[Petey7]

I tried the trojan simulator. I've used IZArc for most compressed folders for well over a year. IZArc wouldn't let me run the installer and MSE (2.0 beta) responded at the same time. I'm happy to know IZArc is trying to protect me from being stupid on top of everything else I have to keep me safe.

 

[merkat106]

Used both, had better results from Norton.

My experience:
Norton IS (had about 2 years/2 versions) = no viruses, no malware trouble
MSE (temporary usage) = got several viruses that trashed 7

Niether are memory hogs - or bloated. Norton that was out 3+ years ago was bloated & inefficient, but the software has been rewritten.

 

[yowanvista]

NIS uses less resources than MSE, 10-20MB compared to 45-60MB MSE

 

[whs]

Used both, had better results from Norton.

My experience:
Norton IS (had about 2 years/2 versions) = no viruses, no malware trouble
MSE (temporary usage) = got several viruses that trashed 7

Niether are memory hogs - or bloated. Norton that was out 3+ years ago was bloated & inefficient, but the software has been rewritten.

I had a similar experience. MSE is not watertight.

 

[Tews]

Used both, had better results from Norton.

My experience:
Norton IS (had about 2 years/2 versions) = no viruses, no malware trouble
MSE (temporary usage) = got several viruses that trashed 7

Niether are memory hogs - or bloated. Norton that was out 3+ years ago was bloated & inefficient, but the software has been rewritten.

I had a similar experience. MSE is not watertight.

Which is the prime reason to approach security in a layered approach .... no one app will catch it all ...

 

[BlueBear]

that graph made me rethink my security software choice, was a firm believer in Eset products but will switch soon to Avira, thanks for posting that graph

 

[whs]

that graph made me rethink my security software choice, was a firm believer in Eset products but will switch soon to Avira, thanks for posting that graph

Eset is still a good choice though. And as Tews says, no AV program is perfect. My security strategy is built around imaging with free Macrium. Then I am sure I can bail myself out at any point in time.