Microsoft Security Essentials...What to do?

Hello,

I have had MSE on our computers, along with Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware, and Spywareblaster. All of these for years, and have had NO problems.

Now that so many are saying that MSE is not enough for virus protection, I am wondering what to do.

I have Comcast and can get Norton Security Suite free but have stayed away from that because I understood that it had too many "bells and whistles". I don't want something that is going to be intrusive.

I would be interested to hear what you have to say. If I remove all four of those valued free programs, would I be better of getting Norton? Or, is there another free program that you recommend?

Thank you for your input!

 

Thanks.

Maybe I will just stick with what I have if you all are not saying that MSE can no longer be trusted.

 

There was much talk last year about Microsoft Security Essentials when a Microsoft VP stated that MSE is not sufficient protection to be relied on as a sole protection product, but that could actually be true of any Antivirus product actually
.
If I found the client with much infection, they must buy Malwarebytes Pro and then I add a free Antivirus program. I also add WOT (Web of Trust) to all browsers as well as Adblock Plus and then Spywareblaster
and Win Patrol.

Recently looking at MSE myself and remembering the issues with it and MBAM Pro in Windows XP I have been playing with Avira, Avast and Bit Defender Free lately. I cannot deal with Avira with their forced march and numerous nagging attempts to add a toolbar in free version so I no longer recommend that one. I find Avast too heavy on the system so lately I have gone to Bit Defender Free version. I struggle a bit with Bit Defender because it doesn't seem to allow manual update and I can't tell if it is updating easily to be sure.

For the heavily infected clients we buy Nod32 which in the Antivirus product, not the Smart Suite, testing I have done shows a remarkable ability to repel spyware and their enablers at the gate and coupled with WOT, peronally I think is the best protection we can find today but again Nod32 is not free so you know.

 

• I never totally trusted MSE as a total solution because I remember it's start - it was originally Sophos AV, and though light, it was always an augment to me because detection rates were always behind a good full AV solution. So I never used it as an AV I use it's Defender form to augment a full AV solution. MSE is basically the same thing as windows defender give or take a few added features. It's not bad but better used as non resident (as defender) to augment a real full AV. Just my two cents. NOD 32 is fantastic I agree Rich, as is Trend.

 

Well as Defender prior to Windows 8 it can run with another Antivirus but not as Security Essentials. I remember a year ago having issues with Mse and Mbam Pro only in Windows XP where the whole pc froze and it was a "bear" to uninstall either at that point.

 

MSE is actually not bad as long as your OS is locked down with permissions and group policy settings, and you have augmented it with something like MBAM paid or SpyWare Blaster. You can even get away with all free apps if you really know what you're doing but I always advise against that even for the super experienced because the top AV's stay up to date more current with ITW and resident protection status. Even with my experience I always remember to try and stay humble and try keep myself grounded with sound advice and sound basic security practices.

One thing that strikes me in various security forums is the phrase "I never run an AV and I haven't had a virus in 3 years". We see that sometimes. With no AV you won't even know you have a virus. The last place to test that theory is in a real world environment where personal banking, and all kinds of sensitive data is done on the users PC. Never test your skills in the jungle if you are a Cheetah because the virus is sometimes a Lion. That's how I look at it. The Cheetah needs 4 of his own around him, and a huge water hole to make the Lion run around eventually he will need to drink. The Cheetah also needs a tree to run up while the Lion drinks. Not just any tree but a HUGE tall tree so the Lion will get discouraged. lol. Always keep it in sight! I recommend a HUGE water hole (that's the good paid AV) and a nice tall tree (that's the spyware app). This is the analogy I tell customers when they ask me about PC security.

 

Interesting analogy William but I completely agree especially with if you don't have an onboard Antivirus how would you know if you had a virus. Been there before with clients.