Microsoft Security Essentials Fails AV-Test Certification

[Ravenas]

I'm more like if Alex Jones and Ron Paul had a mentally challenged child.

Ron Paul would take away the rights of Microsoft (the federal government) and give the rights to Norton (the state government). Thus, if you were a child of Ron Paul, you would not want Microsoft forcing faulty security on you. Ron Paul would be ashamed of you for creating conspiracy that may condone Norton, mentally ill or otherwise.

 

[STCNE]

Son of a... Since this topic is about security companies failing I just figured I'd shoot out a warning to my fellow TPU members. Back in 2004 or so we bought Check Point/ZoneAlarm security, used it a few years, and then cancelled it.

Today my dad noticed an odd charge on his checking account. After further investigation we tracked it back to ZoneAlarm security. They were(and had been for 4 years... how that slipped past my dad I'll never know) charging onto a paypal account we had abandoned years ago. The 'renewel' charges happened about once a year from 2007 to Nov 20th of this year. We hadn't used said account since 2004.

When my dad signed up with them he gave them a credit card(He must have used paypal checkout and had auto-login on or something), the card expired in 08 and they've been drawing $50 a year from our bank account for years now. We didn't get any emails with renewal codes or anything, we haven't had their AV on any of our computers since we cancelled it. Those bastards re-opened our account without our permission and within the past 5 years have stolen $250 out of our account. I opened a dispute with paypal a few hours ago and with any luck we're get the last $50 back.

So yeah, just a warning for anyone whose done business with them in the past to check and make sure they haven't been doing the same to you, and don't make the same mistake my dad did and just abandon old accounts. If you're done with a paypal/ebay account close it. I mention ebay because someone stole my dad's account there, fortunately they don't seem to have done anything except change the password. I'm hoping I can get him to close it before that bites us in the rear as well. :/

 

[lemonadesoda]

I do hope all TPU members run a sandbox for running/testing those free utilities/games/dodgy downloads etc. Perhaps we need a sandbox tutorial?

 

[corehazard]

People still use antivirus software?

http://www.techspot.com/guides/202-stay-safe-without-active-antivirus-protection/

I still use MSE and never got any viruses. As always users doing dumb things is the biggest problem.

I use the NoScript, Web Of Trust, and of course Adblock Plus add ons for Firefox; these add ons along with safe browsing habits are more important (in my opinion to keeping you safe than any AV).

As for Sandbox software I never tried any; any favorites here?

 

[erixx]

I have had 3 "funny" (innocent) viruses in the 90's and never had one again. I am vigilant, but use MSE in case i have a stupid day, as it doesn't disturb like other ones.
I erase all "stupid" mail without looking into it, smell fraud from far, and I am updated (I know people who do not update knowingly
and I don't spend any time on wacko websites. If I want to see titties , the official websites offer plenty for free (without any kind of age checking, btw No need to visit shithole scripting sites.

I run IE10 with max security settings, and Opera with less but with Ghostery. (it is amazing to learn all the tracking websites do

BUT, thinking that MS still makes "Hide hidden folders/system files" and "Hide file extensions" as the default configuration (which is the first thing I change after insalling an OS): for non savy people be it ignorant or older people, this is really a sad situation. They really think "No, no, there are no files on this pendrive", or "My C: drive looks perfectly clean".... etc, etc.

Rant over

 

[INSTG8R]

Its just funny these things. Some of the guys on TPU havent used a virus checker in YEARS and sometimes do a scan.......they always come out clean. Why? Because they are not retards when it comes to downloading and installing everything under the sun. I only use one for a little peice of mind. Not because its really, REALLY needed with my browsing habits.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I hadn't run AV for years. If I ever got a little paranoid I would just run HouseCall for a full scan. I have always run SpyBot S&D for passive protection, NoScript and more recently Ghostery on my Browser. I just installed MSE because it was light and free.

 

[rtwjunkie]

in Win8, MSE is built in to Windows Defender. Doesn't that make them the same?

I don't see built-in AV protection a bad thing. Surely they don't expect surface users to go out and buy Norton for their tablet

Not exactly the same thing. Windows Defender is the antispyware component built into MSE, which anti-virus component was purchased from, IIRC, Giant, or something like that. Several years ago, MS said that's why if you install MSE it automatically should be turning off Windows Defender.

 

[3870x2]

I do hope all TPU members run a sandbox for running/testing those free utilities/games/dodgy downloads etc. Perhaps we need a sandbox tutorial?

The amount of time required to set up and use a sandbox negates the amount of time you would spend reacting to any threats.

Just use your brain and don't download dodgy software.

 

[Melvis]

and it fails again http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/sepoct-2012/

 

[Widjaja]

MSE caught something for me two days ago!
It was a false positive.

 

[RejZoR]

The amount of time required to set up and use a sandbox negates the amount of time you would spend reacting to any threats.

Just use your brain and don't download dodgy software.

Nonsense. It takes 10 minutes to setup Sandboxie and after that it requires few seconds to do the remianing tasks of clearning the sandbox if needed or fiddle with minor details.

 

[HammerON]

I will continue to use MSE...

 

[THE_EGG]

Ashame, but I moved from Norton 360 to MSE several years ago (mostly because of the money), and I've never had problems with MSE. I've only had one bad virus about 5 years ago but that was my fault by letting one of my friends plug in their portable HDD

I'm going to stick with MSE too, don't fix something that ain't broke applies for me here imo.

 

[erixx]

same here, but the absence of the "Scan this file" context menu is a bit frightening

 

[Grnfinger]

I use MSE and Norton Power Eraser for anything nasty.

I have 2 kids that surf and my son will click anything that flashes. MSE ( so far) will catch them and remove them. If MSE can't, NPE will remove the rootkits and trojans.

 

[rtwjunkie]

same here, but the absence of the "Scan this file" context menu is a bit frightening

Are you meaning the right click to scan any file? If so, it does indeed have that. I use it all the time on my son's computer whenever he downloads something.

If that's not what you are referring to, then I bow out gracefully.

 

[Drone]

the absence of the "Scan this file" context menu is a bit frightening

MSE does have scan this file context menu. Windows Defender lacks that feature.
However, Windows Defender in Windows 8 is not MSE. It's more robust.

Main differences:

Windows 8 Defender:

Has built-in antivirus
Doesn't have "Scan this file" feature (not a big deal, all new files get scanned automatically anyway so ...)
Has Anti-malware software (users no longer need to download and install it manually)
Can't be uninstalled, only disabled


MSE

Has built-in antivirus
Can't be installed in Widows 8
Has "Scan this file" context menu
Doesn't have Anti-malware software (users need to download and install it manually)
Can be uninstalled
Users who upgrade from Win7 to 8 need to uninstall MSE first


PCMAG

 

[TheMailMan78]

MSE does have scan this file context menu. Windows Defender lacks that feature.
However, Windows Defender in Windows 8 is not MSE. It's more robust.

Main differences:

Windows 8 Defender:

Has built-in antivirus
Doesn't have "Scan this file" feature (not a big deal, all new files get scanned automatically anyway so ...)
Has Anti-malware software (users no longer need to download and install it manually)
Can't be uninstalled, only disabled


MSE

Has built-in antivirus
Can't be installed in Widows 8
Has "Scan this file" context menu
Doesn't have Anti-malware software (users need to download and install it manually)
Can be uninstalled
Users who upgrade from Win7 to 8 need to uninstall MSE first


PCMAG

You mean Windows 7 doesnt have Anti-malware software. I say this because thats what MSE is. Anti-malware software for Windows 7.

 

[Drone]

MSE's main goal is antivirus. It has the most mediocre malware cleaning system. Good luck on installing MSE on infected system.

 

[TheMailMan78]

MSE's main goal is antivirus. It has the most mediocre malware cleaning system. Good luck on installing MSE on infected system.

It picks up 96% of known malware/viruses. Its goal is both. Where its lacking badly is zero day protection (less then a week old and not in mass circulation). However if you are trying to install a anti-virus on an infected system to begin with you are well behind the curb and should format or use a Antivirus Distro like Kapersky Rescue to boot from anyway to clean it before backup and format.

 

[Drone]

And where did you get that 96% from?
If it had antimalware protection why on Earth MS always urges to install Malicious Software Removal Tool?
Behind what? Whatever that means there are antiviruses that can be installed on infected system and clean it up.
People who know what they're doing never format because of viruses. They'll find a way to clean the system without formatting.

 

[Frick]

People who know what they're doing never format because of viruses. They'll find a way to clean the system without formatting.

Depends on what it is. Sometimes a reformat is easier and quicker.

 

[TheMailMan78]

And where did you get that 96% from?
If it had antimalware protection why on Earth MS always urges to install Malicious Software Removal Tool?
Behind what? Whatever that means there are antiviruses that can be installed on infected system and clean it up.
People who know what they're doing never format because of viruses. They'll find a way to clean the system without formatting.

1. 90 to 96% is MSE avaerage by most testing firms.
2. Malicious Software Removal Tool is for very specific strains of malware. Even Norton and Kapersky have tools that are like it. TDSS Killer by Kapersky comes to mind for root kits.
3. People who know what they are doing don't get infected to begin with.

 

[Drone]

1) 90-96% isn't the best score many has 99-100% rating
2) It's for general protection against spy/malware. NPE is for special strains. And what rootkits got to do with malware?
3) Really? Actually I was talking about people who try to help less computer savvy folks. Anyone can get infected. If your scans come clean it doesn't really mean that your system is clean. Of course now you will say that you never got infected and blah ... so save it.

 

[Mindweaver]

And where did you get that 96% from?
If it had antimalware protection why on Earth MS always urges to install Malicious Software Removal Tool?

If you have MSE you don't need there, "Malicious Software Removal Tool" they tell you that during installation. It has it, but I still use Malwarebytes and Spybot when I install it on PC's that I've cleaned. I encourage anyone using a free antivirus to us MSE over other free ones. I like Avast and AVG, but lately I do not like the new features Avast and AVG offer. None of them are bullet proof.