Microsoft Security Essentials bombs tests, loses AV-Test certificate

[captaincranky]

Well, quoting sure sucks here, lol. I didn't write that.

How exactly would you even go about creating a mess like that, let alone having it happen, "accidentally"?

 

[Jesse]

You must admit, liking something that doesn't work is, well, a self defeating paradox.

We liked it back when it did work, and are just now finding out that it doesn't cut it anymore. That's why this is disappointing, but you knew that

 

[misor]

I used to love avg 2013 antivirus free edition but lately virus definition updates always fail so I uninstalled and switched to avast antivirus free edition.

 

[jcarr11]

I use malware bytes pro and MSE and I never have a problem and they do not hog resources. Malware is only 25 a year very worth it

 

[PinothyJ]

Your protection is bad and you should feel bad...

 

[killeriii]

Lol, and here I haven't used virus protection for about 3 years.
I can't believe how many people here use it. And multiple types at once too!
I'm just careful I guess.

 

[Trillionsin]

I've become accustom to installing MSSE and Malwarebyte's Antimalware. I will do a once a month scan with it, and I actually have a paid version of it too, but dont like to keep it running. I leave MSSE running on the other hand during all times as a light layer of protection. Sometimes I'll download Spybot Anti Spyware, but I find certain aspects of its protection annoying.

 

[spin26]

http://chart1.av-comparatives.org/awardslist.php?year=2012

 

[dennis777]

Maybe they did not update the virus definition of MSE before performing the test

 

[Per Hansson]

Avast doesn't nag at all, you don't even have to touch it for 12 months.

I'm after a completely nag-free solution.
You would be afraid of how many systems I find, where either the paid license expired and the users does nothing (even tho she is prompted on every system bootup to do something about it!)
That's why I used Symantec Corporate Antivirus at work, it is nag-free and we have a license, so it never expires.
But it is such a bad resource hog that I began switching systems over to MSE...

I think you missed the subtlety of Mr Hansson's original post. I'm sure he's more than familiar with all of the free offerings. Yes, there are plenty of free alternatives to MSE. They all nag, with "Avira" being the most obnoxious of the "big three," (Avast, AVG, & Avira). IMO, "Avira" isn't worth installing, as the nags are that pervasive.

The beauty of MSE is, (or ostensibly was), there's no paid version they could nag you to buy, after you opted for the free one.

Thank you, you are indeed correct, I tried to word my post very carefully
Infact I think this is the best Antivirus, it is what I use for my own computers at home

 

[Guest]

I have used most if the free antivirus programs. Avira is the best one I have used. It found stuff the others didn't. I used to have Norton 360. It wasn't as good as Avira free edition.

 

[NTAPRO]

Aw. >_> Don't really feel like calling a hundred people to tell them to uninstall it xD

 

[Per Hansson]

So basicly what you're saying, you can't use the best free AV solution because you have to spend 10 seconds every 12 months to register it?
What has this world come to...

I don't have a problem with it.
But tell that to the users that do this instead, it is beyond me.
They come to me with a computer having viruses, 50% of the time the Antivirus has expired and they did nothing to fix it
The other 50% the Antivirus happens to be an old version of Norton Antivirus.
That's why I prefer a 100% nag-free solution like MSE...

 

[Guest]

Stop yamning everyone, there is no best AV or silver bullet against virus/malware.. if you want AV with better protection, subscribe one.. then, subscribe MBAM pro for another extra security

 

[fyrfaktry]

I have fixed a lot of people computers, and they always get problems with virus, trojans and malwares while they have MSE installed. MSE is a horrible product. I always suggest people to buy Kaspersky.

That's wierd. Some of the worst infected computers I have worked on had Kaspersky on them...

 

[valentyn0]

Bullshit review, have MSE since w7 came out, no problems at all (combined with Malwarebytes software is unbeatable) !!

 

[wiyosaya]

Second paragraph of the above article names 3 other FREE alternatives. (THANKS!) Good Luck. I will be checking these out myself! If you find one you like more than others, I'd love to hear back! I'm not as experienced as you, but I'm a good student!

Ive used them all (admittedly quite a while ago)
But they all seem to have some kind of nag screen or otherwise unwanted behavior, MSE is really great in this regard.
Clean user interface and no nag prompts, if I had to guess who made this A/V I would have NEVER guessed Micrososft.
Especially seeing how far downhill most of their other products have gone!

IMHO, with each release of some products, M$ has dumbed them down, made them worse, and then tells their customers that the programs are now improved.

That happened years ago with the help in Visual Studio. It used to produce exceptionally relevant results when searching for something. However, they turned that search into an "OR" search that produced volumes of irrelevant results, and somehow, the development world accepted this as "better."

Personally, I hope that either 1, the testing of MSE in this instance was flawed, or 2, M$ will devote the attention to MSE that it deserves.

Being somewhat cynical, though, MSE is a "free" product that other companies sell and, apparently, make a profit from. Without a proven profit path for MSE, I would expect that the business justification for maintaining it properly is almost non-existent.

 

[Jesse]

Bullshit review, have MSE since w7 came out, no problems at all (combined with Malwarebytes software is unbeatable) !!

LOL valentyn0
Good job with the reading words. The article states that this is a new development, and that is why there is so much discussion in this thread.

 

[CeCeSam]

I think you missed the subtlety of Mr Hansson's original post. I'm sure he's more than familiar with all of the free offerings. Yes, there are plenty of free alternatives to MSE. They all nag, with "Avira" being the most obnoxious of the "big three," (Avast, AVG, & Avira). IMO, "Avira" isn't worth installing, as the nags are that pervasive.

The beauty of MSE is, (or ostensibly was), there's no paid version they could nag you to buy, after you opted for the free one.

My understanding of "Windows Defender", is that it is targeted primarily at Windows OS files. So, arguably M$ is opting to protect its data, before yours. (And feel free to correct me on this if I'm wrong).

"Advanced System Care" which is a PC cleaner, has gone from tolerably cajoling you to purchase it, to outright, nagware / adware. I was forced to remove it, after giving in to its update nags. So, in the AV, cleaner, malware prevention, freeware arena, my experience has been that everybody's nagging more, and giving away less.

Thank you! You are right. I was unaware the others "Nag" since I have never used them. I have MSE on 2 older household PC's & 1 Laptop (upon advice from repair person AFTER earlier version of Norton failed to prevent/resolve something!), and a newer version of Norton (I presume) on newest Laptop. My concern presently is whether to renew Norton or not, with past experiences? You have ALL been SO HELPFUL!

 

[penn919]

Lol, and here I haven't used virus protection for about 3 years.
I can't believe how many people here use it. And multiple types at once too!
I'm just careful I guess.

How would you know you aren't infected if you don't use any anti-virus?

 

[ReederOnTheRun]

Well that's disappointing. MSE was the best out there if you wanted a good antivirus that wouldn't hassle you all the time.

 

[dotVezz]

We, should all be ashamed of ourselves for this, each and everyone of us !

Our constant nagging freedom of choice has come back to bite ourselves in our arse, Am laughing so hard, that it hurts !

You see, as an End-User, am told, nah scratch that, ADVISED, to protect my connection against those whom are willing to seek and destroy me and I go out and see what's everyone choice AVG and I find out, Everyone has a recommendation as to what's the best ! Frankly, NOT 1 of the AVG's are perfect because if it were, their wouldn't be so many choices, now would there ?

HAT's off to those who TRUSTED the best ! I wouldn't seek anyone's advise because IMHO, It's NOT your arse on the line, it's MINE !

I'm confused. What are you trying to say?

 

[Guest]

Dude, if you aren't an *****- you do not need antivirus. period. One of the modern ages biggest scams.

 

[Burty117]

Meh, I've put MSE on a few computers, all seem to be ok so far. personally, I don't use anti-virus on my PC, whats the point of I'm not going to be doing anything stupid? I install Malwarebytes every few months, let it scan when I'm not using it, in the last 3 years now I've had it scan back with a nice 0 found infections.

Back to MSE though, when ever I've used it I've actually really liked it, easy to understand and quick to scan and install, it didn't kill resources on the pc either which was nice, Sophos seems to slow file access times dramatically, AVG uses too much CPU and Norton was the worst of both worlds, Kaspersky as well seems to slow down file access times quite a lot (found though it depends on the type of files).

Its a shame MSE has gone this way, if I ever needed to install an Anti-Virus program this is (and for myself would be) the "go to" program.

 

[Guest]

MSSE is crap. It can't even defend itself from attacks nevertheless your computer. I can't tell you how many times a virus or malware has taken over MSSE, disabling it, and leaving it useless. Isn't that funny? An anti-virus program that can't defend itself?

 

[Jad Chaar]

You must admit, liking something that doesn't work is, well, a self defeating paradox.

I Am gonna continue to use it and be cautious and not download things I do not need and think are risky. I hear avast has issues with some games so I am not gonna try it.