Is Microsoft Security Essentials still good?

suraswami · Jul 31, 2014

Hi,

I have been using the Free Security Essentials from Microsoft on all my machines for quite some time and its been good.

Recently purchased a laptop and will be sending it to my sister in India. Is Security Essentials good enough in India too? Her kids will be using the Laptop too and want to have a safe browsing experience.

Other alternatives I have been thinking about -
1. TREND MICRO Titanium Internet Security 2014 - 3 PC download version - $10 at EGG
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ownloadableSecurityUtilities-_-32286139-L018B

2. AVG Anti-Virus 2014 - 3 PCs - $0 AR at EGG.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832620084

Windows 8.1 is the OS on the laptop. Will use the other license on my In-law's PC and brother's PC if I end up buying the paid version.

Thanks,

:toast:

P4-630 · Jul 31, 2014

suraswami said:
Hi,

I have been using the Free Security Essentials from Microsoft on all my machines for quite some time and its been good.

Recently purchased a laptop and will be sending it to my sister in India. Is Security Essentials good enough in India too? Her kids will be using the Laptop too and want to have a safe browsing experience.

Other alternatives I have been thinking about -
1. TREND MICRO Titanium Internet Security 2014 - 3 PC download version - $10 at EGG
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ownloadableSecurityUtilities-_-32286139-L018B

2. AVG Anti-Virus 2014 - 3 PCs - $0 AR at EGG.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832620084

Windows 8.1 is the OS on the laptop. Will use the other license on my In-law's PC and brother's PC if I end up buying the paid version.

Thanks,

I don't see why it would not work in India.... It should work fine, I have MSE running on several computers for years here and never had any virus nor problems with it.

MxPhenom 216 · Jul 31, 2014

Just get the free version of Avast, and pair it with MalwareBytes.

erixx · Jul 31, 2014

I dont think that he is asking if it works in India, man oh man! But if it is still "good" AV.

I use it and I am still alive... no viruses since a long long time. But I do not visit junk sites.... Kids maybe need more defences!!!!

MxPhenom 216 · Jul 31, 2014

erixx said:
I dont think that he is asking if it works in India, man oh man! But if it is still "good" AV.

I use it and I am still alive... no viruses since a long long time. But I do not visit junk sites.... Kids maybe need more defences!!!!

Or set up the OS to restrict what they can and can't do.

Tallencor · Jul 31, 2014

Don't have an antivirus running myself. I just use super antispyware free and maleware bytes once a week. Clean as a whistle. I am very very careful thou.

Tallencor · Jul 31, 2014

MxPhenom 216 said:
Just get the free version of Avast, and pair it with MalwareBytes.

No norton? whelph!!!!!!

suraswami · Jul 31, 2014

MxPhenom 216 said:
Just get the free version of Avast, and pair it with MalwareBytes.

Thanks. Could you post the link? I would like to read more.

MxPhenom 216 · Jul 31, 2014

suraswami said:
Thanks. Could you post the link? I would like to read more.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1502811/av-pc-real-world-antivirus-protection-test-20-antiviruses-tested

erixx · Jul 31, 2014

Norton does not allow tests of a "certain" type that they consider unfair. In the same direction, maybe MSE gets low results due to something related to test setups, not security for the people.

MxPhenom 216 · Jul 31, 2014

erixx said:
Norton does not allow tests of a "certain" type that they consider unfair. In the same direction, maybe MSE gets low results due to something related to test setups, not security for the people.

I wouldn't even touch Norton anyways.

Tallencor · Jul 31, 2014

erixx said:
Norton does not allow tests of a "certain" type that they consider unfair. In the same direction, maybe MSE gets low results due to something related to test setups, not security for the people.

MxPhenom 216 said:
I wouldn't even touch Norton anyways.

Neither would I. The whole reason I don't have an active anti-v is the soak up so much juice. ( I am anal that way) Norton especially, the hog that it is.

AsRock · Jul 31, 2014

I trust VirusBTN more than that site, in the end you go for what works for you..
https://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/test?recent=1

TheMailMan78 · Jul 31, 2014

AVG is a waste of HD space. If you are going to install anything get bitdefender.

With that being said I've been using MSE and malwarebytes for years. Don't let online "tests" fool you. Most of them are useless and unrealistic. MSE and Malwarebytes are a damn good combo.

Tallencor · Jul 31, 2014

TheMailMan78 said:
AVG is a waste of HD space. If you are going to install anything get bitdefender.

With that being said I've been using MSE and malwarebytes for years. Don't let online "tests" fool you. Most of them are useless and unrealistic. MSE and Malwarebytes are a damn good combo.

Yep

freaksavior · Jul 31, 2014

TheMailMan78 said:
AVG is a waste of HD space. If you are going to install anything get bitdefender.

With that being said I've been using MSE and malwarebytes for years. Don't let online "tests" fool you. Most of them are useless and unrealistic. MSE and Malwarebytes are a damn good combo.

I don't usually run any a/v, but this is good to know, thanks!

suraswami · Jul 31, 2014

So then stick with MSE + Malwarebytes - is that the verdict?

TrendMicro seems to be not so good according to sites posted here and others I read. AVG seems like a good option. My brother in India uses AVG free and he is pretty happy. So was going to test it out.

rtwjunkie · Jul 31, 2014

suraswami said:
So then stick with MSE + Malwarebytes - is that the verdict?

TrendMicro seems to be not so good according to sites posted here and others I read. AVG seems like a good option. My brother in India uses AVG free and he is pretty happy. So was going to test it out.

AVG free has gotten good testing and reviews, but is a bit of a resource hog. Best bet is most likely MSE and MalwareBytes free, like MM said. There is also BitDefender Free (which is VERY low on resources and requires very little interaction by the user), and also backed up by occasional use of MalwareBytes free.

suraswami · Jul 31, 2014

When I go to download Security essentials from the Windows 8.1 laptop, it says I already have Windows Defender. Seems like Defender is Windows 8 version?

rtwjunkie · Jul 31, 2014

suraswami said:
When I go to download Security essentials from the Windows 8.1 laptop, it says I already have Windows Defender. Seems like Defender is Windows 8 version?

Yes, you're correct. Renamed and slightly revamped for W8...and included automatically. They could have named it differently though, as it brings back memories of that old, useless anti-spyware, which was also Windows Defender.

suraswami · Jul 31, 2014

I removed the 30 day trial McCafe and the system seems to boot faster and work faster with Defender on.

Going to install Malwarebytes now.

The 5400 RPM drive is damn slow, especially that I am spoiled with SSDs on my machines lol. Itching to replace the drive. But trying to keep the cost low.

FX-GMC · Jul 31, 2014

MxPhenom 216 said:
I wouldn't even touch Norton anyways.

Tallencor said:
Neither would I. The whole reason I don't have an active anti-v is the soak up so much juice. ( I am anal that way) Norton especially, the hog that it is.

Out of date much? Norton usually gets high marks in performance for the past few versions.

http://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/avc_per_201311_en.pdf

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp

http://www.antivirusware.com/testing/performance/

Queue the norton hate. (I've used almost all of the popular a/v and norton is the only one I use anymore. It automatically goes into a "silent" mode of sorts when i run a game or am using Windows media center and will not scan or update during that time.)

Drone · Jul 31, 2014

It's still mediocre. But it's free, preinstalled and less clunky than AVG

MxPhenom 216 · Jul 31, 2014

TheMailMan78 said:
AVG is a waste of HD space. If you are going to install anything get bitdefender.

With that being said I've been using MSE and malwarebytes for years. Don't let online "tests" fool you. Most of them are useless and unrealistic. MSE and Malwarebytes are a damn good combo.

And there you guys have it, the Professional of Anti Virus's has spoken...

v12dock · Jul 31, 2014

The only PAID software I recommend to people is Bitdefender or Kaspersky

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System Name	Main Stack (in progress)
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
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Cooling	1x Heatkiller 420 Radiator \| TechN AMD Block \| Hard Frosted tubing
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Video Card(s)	Undecided
Storage	Samsung 9100 Gen5 1TB \| Samsung 980 Pro 1TB (Games_1) \| Lexar NM790 2TB (Games_2)
Display(s)	Asus XG27ACDNG 360Hz QD-OLED \| Gigabyte M27Q-P 165Hz 1440P IPS \| LG 24" 1440 IPS 1440p
Case	HAVN HS420 - White
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Software	Windows 11 Pro 64-Bit

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Software	Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (Start10 & Fences 3.0 installed)

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Is Microsoft Security Essentials still good?

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