Microsoft security

[kev145]

Hi all, have bought a new computer with windows 7 64bit, it comes with MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS. Anyone know how good this system is, have always used Kaspersky in the past and found it very good but would like to know if this is as good or should I stick with what I know.
kev

[OldBoy]

I've got Vista on my 32bit PC and have both McAfee and Windows security running. Haven't see a review of Windows security but seems to run OK with regular updates.

[matt wilson]

Same set up as you .It's happily running in the background and nothing has got through that I am aware of .I also have malwarebytes anti malware as that was the only prog that caught a problem when I used to use vista.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by matt wilson

Same set up as you .It's happily running in the background and nothing has got through that I am aware of .I also have malwarebytes anti malware as that was the only prog that caught a problem when I used to use vista.

This is a problem with all security software, as some report a problem whilst others don't. It could be a case of false postive that is, this program thinks a piece of code is a virus/malware whilst other programs don't, There have been cases in the past where a program has flagged a Windows file as a virus and deleted it causing problems for the user. Most security software now allows you to quarantine the code/file, so if you do have problems you can restore it.

[AndyStevens]

I've had AVG flag up Photoshop as a potential threat before - it's a threat ok, but only to the amount of spare time I have (spend far too much time playing with PS).

I'd stick with what you know best - I've been using AVG (free version) for a while now and never had a problem - but then I am very careful what I look at, click on and open

[Forseti]

Originally Posted by AndyStevens

I've had AVG flag up Photoshop as a potential threat before -

Glad you mentioned that Andy as I had Kaspersky throw up a potential threat in Photoshop as well. At first I was going to dismiss it but on following the link that was shown which leads to the Kaspersky database it actually pointed out that this was a pretty severe security threat and recommended updating the file. After several hours searching through what passes for an Adobe web site I managed to locate the file (a DLL as it happens) which to all intents and purposes appeared to be the same. So I fired off an email to Adobe queering this threat and asking if Kaspersky was throwing up a false positive as OldBoy has indicated and was advised that although both files appeared the same they were in fact different. Anyway, to cut a long story short after substituting the said DLL file and following another scan Kaspersky passed it as clear.

I post this as perhaps a warning to others - don't always be fooled into thinking something is a false positive simply because you trust the programme. Check and double-check it first queering the vendor of the application like I did if necessary.

[kev145]

Hi all, many thanks for the replys, as usual nothing is straitforward.
kev

[wavemachine]

I use it and am more than happy with it, some argue if you are careful you need nothing but accidents do happen.

Generally it seems to do pretty well in reviews and for most users it should be more than adequate, I have fixed a lot of computers where people that have been hit by trojans and Viruses and have to say in pretty much all the cases they were asking for trouble visiting some very dodgy sites and downloading stuff they shouldn't have been.

Here are a some reviews of security essential:-

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/softw...essentials-1-0
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-...-640587/review
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/i...eviewId=117961

Something worth considering if you decide to go down the comercial route is to keep an eye on reviews as what can be the best one year is not necessarily good the following year.

[KeithT]

I use Kaspersky 9.0.0.736 and think it is the bees knees. It detects and destroys without me knowing, untill I get the report which I can archive or delete once read. It's as perfect as ever I have had. But I hear what Forseti has said.

[Forseti]

Originally Posted by KeithT

I use Kaspersky 9.0.0.736

You do of course realise that KIS has long since been updated (free) to v11.01.400?

For info, the rogue DLL that I referred to earlier wasn't thrown up by Kaspersky as a matter of routine. It was only when I did a 'vulnerability' scan.......(Tools > Vulnerability Scan) that it was highlighted. This vulnerability scan menu is in 2 parts - System Vulnerabilities and Vulnerable Applications and I think it is one of the best parts of the entire Kaspersky suite. Following a scan in the Vulnerabilities menu it highlights vulnerabilities that are either critical, are recommended or for which no action is necessary. If you haven't tried it yet I would certainly recommend that you do.