Microsoft Security Essentials

mikkyh · 25-11-2009, 21:40

Has anybody here tried Microsoft Security Essentials ? I've heard it's actually okay and I would like to try a new free antivirus, plus, how does it compare to some of the security programs out there you can buy ? I used to have BitDefender and that fas FANTASTIC but their activation issues annoyed me and I just cannot be bothered with them anymore.

Kaspersky was another one of my favourites, but I paid for it and guess what ? I lost the installation file (my own fault I will admit) and when I tried to get it again I couldn't! Ha, maybe I just wasnt in the mood for software or troubleshooting just then (my seagate hard drive kept failing and I'd already used my last spare in the downstairs computer system.

So, getting off topic, but:

1. What's its virus detection rate ?
2. How does it compare to other free antivirus programs ?
3. How does it compare to costly antivirus programs ?
4. Is it worth switching from AntiVir Antivirus (I don't like it) ?

Thanks for any replies

Ben B · 25-11-2009, 21:43

1. Very good, for me anyway
2. Superior to some as it doesn't slow down startup times etc.
3. Could be a costly antivirus in it's own right but doesn't include a firewall
4. Yes cause you get antivirus and antispyware and no nag screen during updates

25-11-2009, 21:43

ive been running it a while now had no probs less false positives than avg and avast ive run a few tests on it and it detects everything ive hit it with

Raistlin · 25-11-2009, 21:44

Agreed.

MSE seems to be performing very well, and seems a lot less resource intensive than 3rd party products

AntiSilence · 25-11-2009, 21:58

I've been running it since installing Windows 7 and it's now my preferred AV. It's quite slimline too.

joglynne · 25-11-2009, 22:31

Speaking as someone who has tried and failed to get to grips with most of the technical sides of using a computer which some of you have have had cause to realise.

My son pushed me into giving MSE a go about a month back and I have to say my laptop certainly seems to becomes usable faster than it did with Avast and the daily updates seem to work without me noticing any effect on what I am doing at the time..

martyh · 25-11-2009, 23:01

all three machines in my house are using it in conjuction with windows firewall and it's great ,very simple to use no complicated user interface and not a hog in vista

**Matt D** · 26-11-2009, 21:05

I've started using this, on Win7, due to Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 being a complete & utter PITA.

Seems OK, so far.