Parky 8 Posted November 30, 2010 I've been running this software on a few Windows 7 machines for the last several weeks. Absolutely brilliant product as far as I'm concerned. I used to run the free version of AVG on most of the PC's I look after, and it's not bad as far as free protection is concerned. I've also messed with Avast and a couple of others. Interestingly enough, Security essentials has detected and successfully removed infections from a couple of backup devices I use. It's also prevented infections on the fly on a couple of other occasions. These were not false alerts. The infections in question have been thoroughly researched and analyzed, and constituted legitimate threats. AVG on the other hand, was either unable to detect these infections, or in a couple of cases, was unable to cleanse or successfully remove the infections it did detect. Security Essentials is available either through Windows Update, or can be downloaded directly from the Microsoft downloads site. It installs in a matter of seconds, has an extremely user-friendly and intuitive interface, is easily configured, yet has some fairly comprehensive advanced settings for those that like a little extra control over how it operates. I've found it to be far less system intrusive than most other protection utilities, and I haven't run into any bugs so far at all. Basically, it's a great and very effective "set it and forget it" alternative for those looking for a no-cost and hassle-free method of protecting their PC's from viruses and/or spyware. Highly recommended! Cheers, Parky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cameljockey 3 Posted November 30, 2010 Will it run in XP? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parky 8 Posted November 30, 2010 (edited) Sure will, CJ....XP SP2 or higher, according to this: http://www.microsoft.com/security/products/mse.aspx Gonna' try that again.....lol Working on a MacBook G3 with an outdated version of Safari.....lolol (Bear with me please) Cheers, Parky Edited November 30, 2010 by Parky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Von Paulus 8 Posted November 30, 2010 Will it run in XP? Yes. I'm trying it with a couple of users and I do think it's a good alternative to the free AV. However you need a firewall (not the Windows native one) to complement it. Without it it won't be much of use. One of the users with Vista, caught twice, some trojans and a virus. In his case I've gave up using it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parky 8 Posted November 30, 2010 Howdy Paolo,From my experience, the built in firewall with XP does leave a lot to be desired. The built in firewall with Win7 is more than adequate if you know what you're doing with it. It doesn't hurt to be behind a router in either case. There's no better firewall than one that's hardware based and properly configured.Cheers Mate,P.S.Anyone who's still using Vista deserves to catch a virus....lolol(Just joking of course ;-) )Parky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Von Paulus 8 Posted November 30, 2010 Anyone who's still using Vista deserves to catch a virus....lolol(Just joking of course ;-) )Parky Eheheh. He's behind a router. But as far as I know, the user in question, receives some porno through mail. So... and he is the boss so he's entitled to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted November 30, 2010 hmmm....Just one issue....Microsoft Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parky 8 Posted November 30, 2010 Simon,That's a very good point, and nobody is more shocked that it works as well as it does than I am.And Paulo.....tell your friend there would be less risk involved in making his own at home...as opposed to receiving it through his e-mail. Cheers,Parky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carrick58 23 Posted November 30, 2010 :grin:I had that program , but it didn't stop the Browser virus. Its the one where you switch listings and it takes over refering you to different sites. I caught it over at Yahoo.com when I switched on. ( it infects thru the Browser and is a &%$#$#$ to get off) I used an older program called EZ cleaner and finally found the bug in the Registry . I Deleted line by line although I still have traces of it. The internet can be an insidious place. However, I did find the program was good for Trojans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted November 30, 2010 Apparently, there has been some malware written designed to attack Mac's now too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast 153 Posted November 30, 2010 Apparently, there has been some malware written designed to attack Mac's now too Your right there... a colleague of mine in the office was going on about how great her Apple was and she's been hit by a virus which I found out when she came in and asked if there was anything I could do... I jokingly said that she wasn't holding it right... as the last time I used a mac was in 1992 or so... I couldn't help... But the Microswipe stuff is why I am always loath to move up an operating system until they have released at least the 2nd service pack and even then I wait 3 months... as you said earlier WM there is only one problem with Microsoft and thats Microsoft... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hasse Wind 46 Posted November 30, 2010 Over the last few years, it seems that M$ has finally realized their programs are causing an awful amount of security problems for millions of people. For example their Internet Exploder, which was practically unpatched and ridiculously unsecure for years. New competition changed that - when they had a monopoly on web browsers, they were not interested in developing anything new or improving old. But now they are developing better software. I've been using Windows 7 for a couple of months, and I really like it. There's almost nothing I miss from my XP days. I'm not using Security Essentials, but it's good to know there are still decent free security programs available. In the past I've had some bad experiences with such free programs, so I've been using commercial programs and haven't had any problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tranquillo 10 Posted November 30, 2010 I've been using MSE since win 7 came out and have not had a single issue with it.........so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted November 30, 2010 Anyone who's still using Vista deserves to catch a virus....lolol(Just joking of course ;-) Parky Hey, hey, hey! I really thought you were a computer crack, Parky? A friend of mine has set up my system with Vista, and it all runs fine, smooth, perfect. Even Photoshop works very good. And OFF flying is wonderfull, without any catastrophies I occasionally hear from others. Well, I better stop now, or you'll begin to think I was on "Kaiser Bill's" paylist - which I'm not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hasse Wind 46 Posted November 30, 2010 I have a laptop with Vista on it, and I haven't had any problems with it either, Olham. However, Win 7 is even better. Everything works smoother somehow. I didn't get my laptop when Vista was just released, so it's very likely that I missed many of the problems so many people have had with that OS. Maybe it's the same for you? People who are the first the use a new OS are unfortunately also those who will discover the worst problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted November 30, 2010 Yep, and that's why I will get me Win 7 only next year, as a 64bit version, when I set up a new rig. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Javito1986 14 Posted November 30, 2010 I rather like Microsoft because they're so student friendly. They offer great student discounts on Office, and they're particularly helpful for student software developers. Visual Studio is an amazing program and I'm running the Professional 2010 version free of charge (and legally). Also they run XNA which is a really good deal for indie developers, and XBox Live Arcade is an even better deal for indies looking to step it up a notch. I'm thinking of upgrading my PC to Windows 7, I can get a good discount on it via my university account. Kinda worried about accidentally wiping out my hard drive though so I want to back up my files, but that takes time to do and I've been a busy little bee lately. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest rscsjsuso5 Posted November 30, 2010 just my two cents - if you know what you are doing - then try this http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en and this http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Panama Red 22 Posted December 2, 2010 (edited) Parky: I really want to thank you. I was using TrendMicro Anti-Virus with my Win7 64bit, but it was causing some my games to hang sometimes when I started them as well as certain files when I would try to open them. Once I switched to over M$ Security Essentials, ALL these problems went away, so now my PC operates as smooth as before I installed TrendMicro Anti-Virus. As for Free Firewalls, ZoneAlarm has a free firewall that works fantastic (MS Firewall is not much good for anything). Edited December 2, 2010 by Panama Red Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted December 2, 2010 Just had my KASPERSKI Anti Virus updated for a year. But then I will try this freeware; thanks for the tip, Parky! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast 153 Posted December 2, 2010 Will give it a go on the new machine and see what happens... I have backups for the backup though... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest British_eh Posted December 4, 2010 Hi there, it must be good, if it's a MS product and Parky actually endorses it, then WOW. OH, by the way, thanks for helping me out with getting a good Laptop, the Acer. Funny but a MS critical update pooched it, sent it in, and 4 days later it was back with a new Hard Drive, so service was good and no hassle. Cheers, British_eh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cameljockey 3 Posted December 4, 2010 Will give it a go on the new machine and see what happens... I have backups for the backup though... I put it on an old machine, well, not old but not my gaming machine, to try it out. If everything is kosher then to the gamer it is! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parky 8 Posted December 5, 2010 Hi there, it must be good, if it's a MS product and Parky actually endorses it Cheers, British_eh Indeed......because we all know just how much Parky loves Microsoft in general . Glad to hear the lappy is working out for you. I've been eyeballing the same machine at Canada Computers out here. Might just wait for the Boxing Day sales though. Don't think the bride would be too impressed if I bought it right on the heels of picking up a 42" 120hz LCD as my new monitor.... Cheers, Parky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaptSopwith 18 Posted December 8, 2010 I'll also chime in (even if I'm a bit late to the party)! MSE works great on my machine as well. I was using avast until MSE came out. I installed it on my Windows 7 right and it's as if I'm not running any anti-virus software at all, as far as any noticeable hit on my performance is concerned. My PC starts quickly, loads my games and my sims smoothly, and I never have any hic-ups while playing. Quite a far cry from the old days of Norton - when I would have to disconnect from the internet, turn off my Zone Alarm Firewall, and then shutdown Norton Anti-virus just to get Red Baron II to run smoothly! My only complaint about MSE was that it played havoc with my HiTR install process. I would double click on the install exe and the entire machine would lock up. I resorted to booting into safe mode and installing my OFF goodies and then I was all set. That said, that's a pretty small gripe - so I'm quite happy with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
