OT - Virus, Spyware, Malware program

[Typhoon 5]

Microsoft Security Essentials is now a free download. We have been evaluating it in our shop for the last couple of weeks and found it to be quite good. It even outperforms some of the commercial payware virus programs. Did I mention that it is free. We are installing it on all new computers that we sell, as well as any that come in for service who's virus programs are coming due. I think that MS is finally realizing that Windows has a great many holes in it, and rather than plug them one at a time with security updates galore they may try this approach. Anyway the price is right.

It can be downloaded here: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/?mkt=en-us

 

 

 

Tony

[rabu 9]

Thanks, Tony, I tried it out yesterday as I reported in the OVS thread on his crash problem. It ended up disabling Indeo Video and the Intervideo codec for music, but didn't help with my crash problem. I also ran some of the other checks like the Internet Explorer check, sound, etc. and it disabled my HP program that helps with printing web pages, but it also didn't help with the crashes. I'm sure it's probably good for many other problems though.

[Olham 164]

Thanks you, Typhoon! I'll keep it in mind for when my KASPERSKI runs out.

I'll see what tests I can find about it.

[UK_Widowmaker 571]

Hmm...Microsoft can't get Windows right half the time..not sure I would trust them to do Security properly either!

[tranquillo 10]

I've been using Microsoft Security Essentials for about a year now and have never had any issues at all. In my business I get around 30 - 40 emails a day and I do a lot of surfing the 'net too. It's done the job so far.

[UK_Widowmaker 571]

I'll take a look

[Von Paulus 8]

As far as I know it's the best protection, in terms of anti malware, that MS has launched so far. But remember it's only antivirus and antispyware. It hasn't a firewall included. So probably in terms of overall security it's not best than some commercial products out there.

 

Here are some AntiVirus tests:

http://www.av-test.org/certifications

http://www.av-comparatives.org/comparativesreviews

 

Now lets get a little more serious:

http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/results.php

 

And if you want to test your security:

http://www.pcflank.com/

[rabu 9]

As far as I know it's the best protection, in terms of anti malware, that MS has launched so far. But remember it's only antivirus and antispyware. It hasn't a firewall included. So probably in terms of overall security it's not best than some commercial products out there.

 

Here are some AntiVirus tests:

http://www.av-test.org/certifications

http://www.av-compar...arativesreviews

 

Now lets get a little more serious:

http://www.matousec....nge/results.php

 

And if you want to test your security:

http://www.pcflank.com/

 

 

Sorry, but I just don't trust some of your links.. the matousec site gave my Norton AV a flunking lowest score, along with some other popular AV programs, yet they gave highest marks to some programs that are very expensive. They labeled some of them free, but that's just a ruse, a 30 day trial, etc. They also mention that the program that they rate high, just happen to give them some money if you buy their program.. hmmm..

 

Then, on your last link, to test your security, I went ahead and ran all the tests, including the advanced tests, and my Norton AV passed all of them.. hmmm... something ain't right here, doesn't seem like my Norton is so bad after all, or the tests are no good?

[Von Paulus 8]

Sorry, but I just don't trust some of your links.. the matousec site gave my Norton AV a flunking lowest score, along with some other popular AV programs, yet they gave highest marks to some programs that are very expensive. They labeled some of them free, but that's just a ruse, a 30 day trial, etc. They also mention that the program that they rate high, just happen to give them some money if you buy their program.. hmmm..

 

Then, on your last link, to test your security, I went ahead and ran all the tests, including the advanced tests, and my Norton AV passed all of them.. hmmm... something ain't right here, doesn't seem like my Norton is so bad after all, or the tests are no good?

Glad to know that you've passed the PC flank test. But if you asked me is more reliable than the matoused tests, I doubt. As far as I know there are different ways of testing the security. And the methodology and rules are not the same. But nowadays, every internet security program (not only AV), must pass that security test. That's the minimum.

As for the Matousec, there always people who says they aren't reliable. I've use it, for many years, as reference. I've seen that in the last 1 or 2 years they seem to favour Comodo. That link is an abuse, I agree. But there is a free version of Comodo firewall and antivrus. In all those years I've seen Norton going down and going up on that chart. The same with Kaspersky, for example. I believe they are good overall source.

I'd prefer they didn't follow affiliate politics, because it raises suspections. But in their line of service, if they loose their reliability, they'll loose the business. So I believe that they still have some reliability.

Don't worry rabu, maybe in the next chart, your Norton will raise it's score.

And by the way, Comodo, has a great free firewall.

[Von Paulus 8]

There's one more thing, that in this case is important.

I think that is very important to feel "comfortable" with your security software. Kaspersky is one of the best security programs, however, I don't use it because I stop feeling comfortable with it since 2005. The Norton since 2000, Mcafee since DOS times. The truth is, that most of these Internet Security programs offer more than a basic security (as long as they are well configured). There are no fool proof security programs. In my job, people are always asking me if they should change their security programs. And my answer is always the same. "Do you so far feel comfortable with it?". If the answer is yes, I always tell them to not change it.

My personal choice it's based more on the way the program interacts with the system and with my way of using it.

I use a combo of AV and Firewall. As a AV use NOD32 and for firewall Outpost Pro. In my case it's a good combo.

[+Polovski 460]

NOD32 I used for many years as it has a light footprint and saved my bacon a few times. I did buy Outpost firewall for quite some time as it was lowish on resources too, until they dropped the ball and I had blue screen city as others did. I recently went for ESET Smart Security 4 which is NOD32 + Eset firewall. Pretty good.

[Von Paulus 8]

Never had major problems with Outpost. But I had one with NOD32 and XP (in both my rigs). But like you Pol, I like the NOD32's light footprint. Unfortunately, next year I'll have to cut some expenses, and probably I'll have to opt for a free one. I'm seriously thinking in the Microsoft Essentials. It seems to be also light. I've a lifetime license for Outpost, so I'll have to see what is the better to match with it.

[rabu 9]

Some of you with your AV programs.. how do you do on the tests at this link.. try them all and report back.. should be interesting. Tests

[DonL 0]

Some of you with your AV programs.. how do you do on the tests at this link.. try them all and report back.. should be interesting. Tests

 

Norton AV says this site is unsafe.

[carrick58 23]

Norton AV says this site is unsafe.

 

It is if ya dont like 2 wing airplanes