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Microsoft Security Essentials was the only entry to fail AV-Test's certification between September and October -- an embarrasing slip for the once well-regarded virus protection solution. MSSE received a total of 10.5 out of 18 possible points, most notably falling short in zero-day malware attacks. As a point of reference, 11 points are required to receive certification. The fallen AV only received 1.5 out of 6.0 for system protection, but fared better when it came to repairing infections and usability: 3.5 and 5.5 out of 6.0, respectively.
Thankfully, other free alternatives performed better: Avast (14 points) edged out AVG (12.5 points) and Avira (12 points), receiving above-average marks all-around. Meanwhile, Bitdefender topped payware offerings, netting an almost perfect score of 17 points.
If you're somehow not familiar with it, MSSE is Microsoft's nag-free, no-cost anti-virus solution for Windows XP, Vista and 7 owners. Although Windows 8 users can't install MSSE, the utility essentially comes integrated into the OS -- it's simply disguised as "Windows Defender".
AV-Test is an independent German organization who, amongst other things, rates anti-virus utilities based on various metrics about every two months. AV-Test's certification is by no means an industry requirement, but their test results have served as a standardized way to benchmark anti-virus programs for years.
Similarly, AV Comparatives is another firm who offers their own, indepedent anti-virus grading service. After recalling MSSE scoring very high marks with AV Comparatives back in 2009, I checked out the site's latest tests to get a second opinion. Curiously though, MSSE has been missing from tests at AV Comparatives since 2010. Looks like we'll have to take AV-Test's word on this one.
User Comments: 81
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REDXLILSLEEPY said:
Mse was never good.
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Well stop going to religious sites too then. Religion can be done anywhere and anytime. It should be just about you and your beliefs, not about going to a site or building that has statues and stain glass windows. Believing in yourself is the best thing you can ever do. All going to a website is going to do is ruin your computer and take time away from your religion n whatever else you may do.Well, I 'd like to use the old metaphor, "you're preaching to the choir", but somehow it doesn't quite resonate with my situation. You see, I'm an atheist. So for me, religious dogma is its own anti-malware.Stay away from the religious sites and porn, you should be ok for the most part.I won't even initiate a search for religion, or anything remotely associated with it, so I kinda think I'll be all right, even without your sage counsel.If you don't, don't go cryin about how your computer got infected then try and blame someone or a company. It was actually your own fault.I never cry, nor do I put my tail between my legs and beg for help should my computer infected. I "take it like a man", "admit my shortcomings", and reformat.
That said, I do think you should join a couple of good subscription porn sites. The benefits of that would be manifold. First, it would get your mind off the pros and cons of organized religion, and second, you'd realize that you're way over generalizing about "erotic art". Third, it might give you something to play with besides a typewriter keyboard. The benefits of which, at this point, would be widespread and appreciated by many.
As for questioning Malwarebytes free vs pro(paid) version, well yea the paid version gives you support and more features but ive never used it. Have not needed to. There are also tools out there that can kill the viruses that cause popups and other things. They are also free. So why people continue to pay for services that should actually be free because the internet can not be controlled or protected, ill use the free programs and save my money. A combination of tools that are free can protect you against everything that the paid ones can. Again though, paid tools DO NOT mean your getting any better security. Paid or free, nothing is perfect. We all would like an all in one AV/Malware protection that is free unfortunately there isnt one and the ones they may exist all have ? marks about how good they really are.For the record, "Malwarebytes" has been shuffled pretty far down the order in this site's prioritiy as a cleanup solution.Personally I have it installed along with AVG. I've never received a positive from it, from any scan. Does that mean I've never needed it, or the AVG has intercepted any threat before it got to Malwarebytes? I'm honest enough to say, "I don't know", rather than vacantly reciting its virtues.
I certainly so do not pay for AV or anti-malware solutions. In fact, I am very unlikely to pay for software of any sort. There is enough freeware available that meets my humble needs. For imaging issues, I pay good money for Adobe's product.
As for the evils of porn or religion, and how that relates to the world of personal computing, here's a headline:
"Trogan-Rigged Software Keygens Aggressively Distributed in January"
And the page I extracted it from: [link]
This should serve a dual purpose: 1: Grant me some respite from your posting things of which I'm already acutely aware. And 2: give you ammunition to do more of the same.
I have a small trace of masochistic tendencies, so what? God knows what would happen to my computer if I searched for a solution...:eek:
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1 person liked this |MeladT said:
Yep Avast is really good!
Ugh Avast is the solution.14 out 18
It never bothers me only once a year for registration
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T77 said:
The one thing I still don't understand is why windows update would classify the definition updates for MSE as optional,that way it doesn't download and install it automatically. This could be a potential risk.
It's ironic...win update will classify the nvidia drivers as important and download it automatically( almost 200mb). Now why would I need a new driver for my old 9500gt....
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The one thing I still don't understand is why windows update would classify the definition updates for MSE as optional,that way it doesn't download and install it automatically. This could be a potential risk.MSE updates itself automatically. I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Really.
The updates classified as "important or optional" through Windows update, are for "Windows Defender", not MSE.
It's ironic...win update will classify the nvidia drivers as important and download it automatically( almost 200mb). Now why would I need a new driver for my old 9500gt....I think you can set update protocol and/or roll back driver updates in "Device Manager". -
T77 said:MSE updates itself automatically. I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about. Really.
The updates classified as "important or optional" through Windows update, are for "Windows Defender", not MSE.
I think you can set update protocol and/or roll back driver updates in "Device Manager".
I have just added nvidia driver downloads to the hidden updates list, so I no longer have any problem with that.( I have 275.33 installed and it works just fine, however a couple of months back when I downloaded and installed an update it would cause windows to freeze randomly, so I did a roll back to my current version.)
Windows Defender is disabled on my pc since MSE has been installed. I'll just upload a screenshot of the "optional" updates I'm talking about...[image link]
[link]
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