Microsoft Security Essentials sufficient?

[avander]

Since I had the misfortune (another story) to install Win 8 Pro last November I have discarded AVG (which was fine) and now rely exclusively on MSE. I decided at the time to go plain vanilla as much as possible after many years of using other protection.

I am a Torrent user and download a fair bit of stuff.

So far, so good..

[Chizhikov]

Hi,

I used MSE couple of years. I did not have any problems. Prior to that used nod32 and Kaspersky and Norton. At this time wanted experiments. I bought and installed the Bitdefenser total security. For three weeks, I am corresponding with tech support. Bitdefender blocking my programs work, but his uninstall restores normal work. If no correspondence will be unsuccessful, then ask to do a refund. I'll be back to the MSE. Maybe my experience will be useful.

[Kabayo66]

I've used MSE with Windows Firewall, Spy-Bot and Ad-Aware with Windows 7 Ultimate for a few years now, with no problems. I'm not a big fan of Microsoft's products, but MSE seems to be one thing Microsoft actually did right. Before upgrading my notebook from Windows XP to Windows 7, I had run the paid version of Kaspersky, which worked fine, followed by ESET Nod32, which often had difficulty connecting to its servers to download updates, but also worked reasonably well. When my subscriptions expired, I used the free version of AVG. That was OK for a couple months, but then I got a few viruses, Do I switched to MSE. As long as Microsoft sees your version of Windows as "genuine" you should have nno problems with downloading, installing or using MSE.

[somtampet]

avg 2013 pro( free0

windows defender

microsoft firewall

never,ever had a problem

[lucifer666]

I've only ever used AVG free for the last 5 years and the built in XP firewall. Never had a problem.

[Kabayo66]

I forgot to mention that I often download java games, music, and other software from various websites of questionable content, and often share files with friends via USB flash drives. My friends have never found a virus when scanning my flash drives, but although they use free versions of popular and reputable anti-virus software, I occasionally find infected files or malware on their flash drives when I scan them with MSE.

[jack2964]

I am thankful to all of you who have responded. From all the feedback, MSE, Avast and Bitdefender are the favoured ones and it's quite clear there isn't much to gain paying for the likes of Kaspersky, Norton's...etc. I'll add a malware/spyware detector as well probably Malwarebytes (free).

===>oxo947: I don't quite understand the 'encrypted external hard drive' and how it is used as C:\ for added security. I'll google and see if I can find further info. I am no stock broker nor serious investor.I do the occasional fund transfer and some online shopping.Thanks just the same.

===>hawker9000: Do you mean by simply using a router which I do all the time via a direct LAN connection and sometimes WiFi I have enhanced protection firewall wise? Pardon my ignorance with such matters.

[Ulic]

I have used MSE and Spybot the last 3 years and have had no problems that I am aware off.

But as they say I don't know what I don't know.

[how241]

MSE is as good as any. One of the advantages of using genuine software.

+1

[bino]

I've relied on MSE for about 3 years now- but I'm over it.

One of my computers was infected by a Trojan that totally attacked the operating syatem and it wouldn't start anymore.

I bought a new hard disk, and installed a new copy of windows on it. Before recovering all my files from the old disk to the new one, I scanned it with MSE and it came back green. (clean).

However, I didn't trust this, so bought a copy of Kaspersky and re-scanned the disk. It identified and cleaned two Trojans that MSE couldn't do.

for 640 baht, the Kaspersky is worth the money if you want a trouble free and secure PC.

Edited July 22, 2013 by bino

[thrilled]

I've used all the top ones, the free and the ones ya pay for.Ya can get viruses,or other types etc.I don't believe there's any anti virus systems that certain viruses can't penitrate.I must say I go to some crazy websites also.

[JetsetBkk]

MSE and Comodo Firewall is what I use. No viruses in 5 - 10 years. (Can't remember when I last had one).

[mcdiddly]

MSE essentaly is for maleware and trogans .. it is of no use for cross site scripting or Hybrids ... you need another peice of software ..AVG make a good product and it will rum along side MSE .. they do have a free product ...

[Chicog]

If you look at the monthly checks from Virus Bulletin, you'll see that they vary from month to month, and Microsoft are never near to the top, even though they claim that if you keep Windows and MSE up to date you won't get attacked.

Frankly, it isn't true, applications are as big a risk as the OS these days.

It's why I recommend people use a couple of AV products that don't clash (I use MSE and Avast), and also use Secunia PSI (free) to keep apps up to date.

Adobe and Apple apps are particularly vulnerable.

[MAJIC]

I have been using MSE for 3 years,and it's always served me well,I've tried Norton,and McAffee both of which are too intrusive for me and seem to take over my system,and slow it up, eventually I deleted them and went back to back to MSE.

I can't get it to download! I get error message 0x8004FF00 telling me installer is running already. I get the same when I try to download Java. 'Another program is running' but if it is, I can't see it?

Is your Windows genuine?

Because when you try to Download MSE,it comes up with the message. "Your PC must run genuine windows to install Microsoft Security Essentials"

Or do a search to see if the the whole or part of the MSE Package is already installed?

Just a thought!

[MAJIC]

MSE and Comodo Firewall is what I use. No viruses in 5 - 10 years. (Can't remember when I last had one).

I have only ever had 1 Virus in 20 years into Computing (on a daily basis) makes me wonder sometimes if it's all a hyped up by the Anti Virus Manufacturers,am I one of a tiny minority who thinks this way?

[Xmas]

MSE is fine for Anti Virus.

It would be advisable to also run an anti- malware software.

Malwarebytes has a freeware which you can manually run regularly to check for malware - or you can subscribe to the paid version which runs all the time.

Go to their website for download.

[alfalfa19]

I have mse on 4 computers and experience zero problems. Once in a while, I will run malwarebytes out of curiosity, but it never finds anything. It seems that MS did something right for once.

[JimShortz]

MSE is as good as any. One of the advantages of using genuine software.

As good as many, and better than most, since it is very good at staying in the background and doing it's job without annoying pop-ups, etc.

You don't need genuine software, just a Windows installation that appears genuine, i.e. has been activated and updates with no problems...

Then install the free Malwarebytes to do occasional malware scans and you are as protected as any Windows user - which is to say, so long as you don't "open the door" by clicking on messages from the bad guys you will be fine.

[JetsetBkk]

MSE and Comodo Firewall is what I use. No viruses in 5 - 10 years. (Can't remember when I last had one).

I have only ever had 1 Virus in 20 years into Computing (on a daily basis) makes me wonder sometimes if it's all a hyped up by the Anti Virus Manufacturers,am I one of a tiny minority who thinks this way?

The only viruses I see on my PC are inside "keygens" or other suspect programs. They are immediately spotted by MSE so I don't run them. I try not to download any s/w that has a keygen as part of the package.

MSE is fine for Anti Virus.

It would be advisable to also run an anti- malware software.

Malwarebytes has a freeware which you can manually run regularly to check for malware - or you can subscribe to the paid version which runs all the time.

Go to their website for download.

I also have Malware Bytes installed and run a scan periodically on a file, a folder or the whole system drive.

Another good one is "Windows Defender Offline". It is similar to MSE (but has the older name "Windows Defender") and is a bootable system that scans your system drive while it is offline - i.e. Windows is not running. I boot it from a thumb drive periodically when I have suspicions about any odd events noticed or programs installed.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/what-is-windows-defender-offline

[indyuk]

I use Bit Defender (BD) paid for anti virus and anti malware. It proctects three PC's which are networked together. During the past two years BD has been infallible. It has reported attacks by a variety of types virus and malware.

Previously I used AVG. During a period of less than a year AVG allowed three 'Trojan Horse' viruses to take residence in one of the PC's. This cost me many of my contacts who presumably, being tired of infected files reaching them from my system, delected my account. AVG ingnored my attemps to get their help.

After I uninstalled AVG my network (all 3 PC's slowed down) The AVG uninstaller leaves 135 lines of redundant code on a PC after uninstallation when using their AVG propriety uninstaller. These lines of code cannot not be deleated by hand. One needs an extra piece of software called an 'Unlocker' to remove that code, which by the way is malware in its own right because it allows AVG access to your PC(s) any time. It took weeks to get my PC network running normally again.

After removal of AVG I used MSE together with 'Truststeer' (an anti-key logger system) provided by the UK Banking industry free of charge. All was fine.

When the three PC's were running normally again I installed BD. However I left 'Trusteer' on the PC's because of my paranoia over key-loggers who seen to be very active in Thailand. Every now and then I run MSE just to be sure.

Periodically as a further defensive check I run 'Spybot 2' which is very fast and will pick up anything that looks like malware. As yet BD has never left anything for SB2 to find.

[55Jay]

I use Bit Defender (BD) paid for anti virus and anti malware. It proctects three PC's which are networked together. During the past two years BD has been infallible. It has reported attacks by a variety of types virus and malware.

Previously I used AVG. During a period of less than a year AVG allowed three 'Trojan Horse' viruses to take residence in one of the PC's. This cost me many of my contacts who presumably, being tired of infected files reaching them from my system, delected my account. AVG ingnored my attemps to get their help.

After I uninstalled AVG my network (all 3 PC's slowed down) The AVG uninstaller leaves 135 lines of redundant code on a PC after uninstallation when using their AVG propriety uninstaller. These lines of code cannot not be deleated by hand. One needs an extra piece of software called an 'Unlocker' to remove that code, which by the way is malware in its own right because it allows AVG access to your PC(s) any time. It took weeks to get my PC network running normally again.

After removal of AVG I used MSE together with 'Truststeer' (an anti-key logger system) provided by the UK Banking industry free of charge. All was fine.

When the three PC's were running normally again I installed BD. However I left 'Trusteer' on the PC's because of my paranoia over key-loggers who seen to be very active in Thailand. Every now and then I run MSE just to be sure.

Periodically as a further defensive check I run 'Spybot 2' which is very fast and will pick up anything that looks like malware. As yet BD has never left anything for SB2 to find.

I'm also partial to payware after getting hi-jacked by a virus courtesy of derelict Norton in 2004. Tried a very 1.0 version of Panda at the time, saved the day, and been with them ever since..... except for last year. I tried Free Avira on all my systems, fine, or so I thought. Went back on Panda this year and every single system had anywhere from 10-30 spy/malwares. $20 odd to protect 4-$5k in computers seems reasonable to me.

Similar for my mate on Avira, he got wiped out. Now he's got a dodgy WIN7 OS from Pattaya IT mall + another free A/V loaded. Installed a spare Panda license on his l/t this weekend and came away with 30+ spy/malware events and 1 Trojan.

[topt]

I also have Malware Bytes installed and run a scan periodically on a file, a folder or the whole system drive.

Another good one is "Windows Defender Offline". It is similar to MSE (but has the older name "Windows Defender") and is a bootable system that scans your system drive while it is offline - i.e. Windows is not running. I boot it from a thumb drive periodically when I have suspicions about any odd events noticed or programs installed.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/what-is-windows-defender-offline

I used this on a couple of laptops after you recommended it before. Very useful and supposedly found a couple of items on 2 of the machines.

The Op may want to have a look here - http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/novdec-2012/ - seems unbiased but you never know. The worry for me about MSE is that it has scored relatively low over the last couple of years and not just in this review.

I have used Avast on my home laptop for a couple of years and just added to my work pc which was running a paid for version of ESET Nod32 which is just expiring. I used to use AVG and found it too resource heavy. Tried Avira and then settled on Avast.

[hawker9000]

I am thankful to all of you who have responded. From all the feedback, MSE, Avast and Bitdefender are the favoured ones and it's quite clear there isn't much to gain paying for the likes of Kaspersky, Norton's...etc. I'll add a malware/spyware detector as well probably Malwarebytes (free).

===>oxo947: I don't quite understand the 'encrypted external hard drive' and how it is used as C:\ for added security. I'll google and see if I can find further info. I am no stock broker nor serious investor.I do the occasional fund transfer and some online shopping.Thanks just the same.

===>hawker9000: Do you mean by simply using a router which I do all the time via a direct LAN connection and sometimes WiFi I have enhanced protection firewall wise? Pardon my ignorance with such matters.

Yes, your hardware router - assuming we're talking about the home routers you might pick up at Fry's or Best Buy, etc. - will act as a perimeter firewall in that it will not accept inbound connections (that is, by default and without you're configuring something specific to have it do so - and there can be legitimate reasons to do so). The small extra investment involved in acquiring one of these is well worth the expense IMO, and definitely provides a definite added layer of security to whatever security software or OS you have running on your PC(s). (And of course they allow you to share a single internet connection/IP among multiple PCs, and provide relatively secure WiFi capability - if configured properly - for your home as well.) I wouldn't dream of connecting any of my PCs directly to the cable modem unless temporarily required for some kind of troubleshooting.

Many of these routers can be configured to log connection activity and you can see for yourself all the unsuccessful connection attempts against your IP address. All this crap stopped at your router might well be stopped by, and should certainly be stopped by, the Windows firewall or other security software you have installed, but would be consuming PC resources. Much better to have it filtered at the router, esp. since they'll usually pretty much do it out-of-the-box.

Edited July 26, 2013 by hawker9000

[jack2964]

I am thankful to all of you who have responded. From all the feedback, MSE, Avast and Bitdefender are the favoured ones and it's quite clear there isn't much to gain paying for the likes of Kaspersky, Norton's...etc. I'll add a malware/spyware detector as well probably Malwarebytes (free).

===>oxo947: I don't quite understand the 'encrypted external hard drive' and how it is used as C:\ for added security. I'll google and see if I can find further info. I am no stock broker nor serious investor.I do the occasional fund transfer and some online shopping.Thanks just the same.

===>hawker9000: Do you mean by simply using a router which I do all the time via a direct LAN connection and sometimes WiFi I have enhanced protection firewall wise? Pardon my ignorance with such matters.

Yes, your hardware router - assuming we're talking about the home routers you might pick up at Fry's or Best Buy, etc. - will act as a perimeter firewall in that it will not accept inbound connections (that is, by default and without you're configuring something specific to have it do so - and there can be legitimate reasons to do so). The small extra investment involved in acquiring one of these is well worth the expense IMO, and definitely provides a definite added layer of security to whatever security software or OS you have running on your PC(s). (And of course they allow you to share a single internet connection/IP among multiple PCs, and provide relatively secure WiFi capability - if configured properly - for your home as well.) I wouldn't dream of connecting any of my PCs directly to the cable modem unless temporarily required for some kind of troubleshooting.

Many of these routers can be configured to log connection activity and you can see for yourself all the unsuccessful connection attempts against your IP address. All this crap stopped at your router might well be stopped by, and should certainly be stopped by, the Windows firewall or other security software you have installed, but would be consuming PC resources. Much better to have it filtered at the router, esp. since they'll usually pretty much do it out-of-the-box.

Thanks Hawker. As I understand it, I should not be using the LAN cable to connect my PC directly to the router and opt for WiFi instead which my desktop is capable of.

I am subscribed to TOT for internet and home phone/fax.

[JakeBKK]

MSE are a want-to -be solution. Kaspesky retails for 790 THB you find it in Bangkok on offer for 590 THB. Go for AVG or Avira free if you don't want to spend money. MSE can't find a turd , even if you mount a blinking light on it.

[JakeBKK]

I am thankful to all of you who have responded. From all the feedback, MSE, Avast and Bitdefender are the favoured ones and it's quite clear there isn't much to gain paying for the likes of Kaspersky, Norton's...etc. I'll add a malware/spyware detector as well probably Malwarebytes (free).

===>oxo947: I don't quite understand the 'encrypted external hard drive' and how it is used as C:\ for added security. I'll google and see if I can find further info. I am no stock broker nor serious investor.I do the occasional fund transfer and some online shopping.Thanks just the same.

===>hawker9000: Do you mean by simply using a router which I do all the time via a direct LAN connection and sometimes WiFi I have enhanced protection firewall wise? Pardon my ignorance with such matters.

Yes, your hardware router - assuming we're talking about the home routers you might pick up at Fry's or Best Buy, etc. - will act as a perimeter firewall in that it will not accept inbound connections (that is, by default and without you're configuring something specific to have it do so - and there can be legitimate reasons to do so). The small extra investment involved in acquiring one of these is well worth the expense IMO, and definitely provides a definite added layer of security to whatever security software or OS you have running on your PC(s). (And of course they allow you to share a single internet connection/IP among multiple PCs, and provide relatively secure WiFi capability - if configured properly - for your home as well.) I wouldn't dream of connecting any of my PCs directly to the cable modem unless temporarily required for some kind of troubleshooting.

Many of these routers can be configured to log connection activity and you can see for yourself all the unsuccessful connection attempts against your IP address. All this crap stopped at your router might well be stopped by, and should certainly be stopped by, the Windows firewall or other security software you have installed, but would be consuming PC resources. Much better to have it filtered at the router, esp. since they'll usually pretty much do it out-of-the-box.

Thanks Hawker. As I understand it, I should not be using the LAN cable to connect my PC directly to the router and opt for WiFi instead which my desktop is capable of.

I am subscribed to TOT for internet and home phone/fax.

[hawker9000]

I am thankful to all of you who have responded. From all the feedback, MSE, Avast and Bitdefender are the favoured ones and it's quite clear there isn't much to gain paying for the likes of Kaspersky, Norton's...etc. I'll add a malware/spyware detector as well probably Malwarebytes (free).

===>oxo947: I don't quite understand the 'encrypted external hard drive' and how it is used as C:\ for added security. I'll google and see if I can find further info. I am no stock broker nor serious investor.I do the occasional fund transfer and some online shopping.Thanks just the same.

===>hawker9000: Do you mean by simply using a router which I do all the time via a direct LAN connection and sometimes WiFi I have enhanced protection firewall wise? Pardon my ignorance with such matters.

Yes, your hardware router - assuming we're talking about the home routers you might pick up at Fry's or Best Buy, etc. - will act as a perimeter firewall in that it will not accept inbound connections (that is, by default and without you're configuring something specific to have it do so - and there can be legitimate reasons to do so). The small extra investment involved in acquiring one of these is well worth the expense IMO, and definitely provides a definite added layer of security to whatever security software or OS you have running on your PC(s). (And of course they allow you to share a single internet connection/IP among multiple PCs, and provide relatively secure WiFi capability - if configured properly - for your home as well.) I wouldn't dream of connecting any of my PCs directly to the cable modem unless temporarily required for some kind of troubleshooting.

Many of these routers can be configured to log connection activity and you can see for yourself all the unsuccessful connection attempts against your IP address. All this crap stopped at your router might well be stopped by, and should certainly be stopped by, the Windows firewall or other security software you have installed, but would be consuming PC resources. Much better to have it filtered at the router, esp. since they'll usually pretty much do it out-of-the-box.

Thanks Hawker. As I understand it, I should not be using the LAN cable to connect my PC directly to the router and opt for WiFi instead which my desktop is capable of.

I am subscribed to TOT for internet and home phone/fax.

Well, whether you want to use WiFi (vs a LAN cable) for your regular at-home connectivity, or not, is another question. The mistake many people make with WiFi is not securing it properly so others nearby are able to piggy-back on your connection to your service provider (ISP) without you even knowing it. Worse, their use of the connection, if it violates your terms of service, could result in YOU being cut off or even banned by your service provider. Worse still, your more sensitive communications (say, with your bank or credit card company, or an online retailer) could be intercepted and things like your login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal information stolen. Performance-wise, WiFi bandwidth available, while possibly adequate for all your day-to-day needs, will possibly be less than what you get through a Cat-5 LAN cable. But if we're talking about a laptop rather than a desktop PC or elaborate workstation, WiFi is just plain more convenient for many people. Just be sure you do your homework and have it configured and secured properly: the fact that it's "working", does NOT mean it's secured. (PS - we're NOT talking about something that can be accomplished through the use of MSE or any other PC security software. The security features and configuration of a wireless router are another ballgame.)

Bottom line: use of WiFi adds another layer of needed security configuration to that being discussed in this thread. Everything said about antivirus and antispyware, about the use of software & hardware firewalls, about safe computing & human factors, etc., remains true PLUS you now have to make sure you're securing your WiFi! I would NOT say that WiFi is "inherently" safer than a wired LAN connection; quite the opposite in fact.

If the wireless router ("WAP") and wireless service we're talking about is being provided by your ISP instead of by you, then you have to somehow make sure THEY'RE securing it properly. I have no idea what the batting average or "normal" is for Thai service providers in this particular regard. I imagine it can vary. If it were me, I'd acquire my own WAP and do it myself.

To all: I realize we've gone beyond the original MSE topic. Apologies. But I wanted to answer Jack's questions as I thought they were relevant.

[jack2964]

Thanks Hawker, really appreciate your effort and time to make things clearer although I have to admit some of the terminology is lost on me.

I have done some googling and I am overwhelmed by the amount of info out there. I'll do as some have suggested here to use MSE and

Avast and pick a spyware/malware as well.

[harrry]

Thanks Hawker, really appreciate your effort and time to make things clearer although I have to admit some of the terminology is lost on me.

I have done some googling and I am overwhelmed by the amount of info out there. I'll do as some have suggested here to use MSE and

Avast and pick a spyware/malware as well.

Multiple antivirus products are not recommended. They can actually reduce security.