Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

I'd like to hear from Freepers who use Microsoft's Security Essentials anti-virus ( Vanity )
12/28/09

Posted on 12/28/2009 3:21:12 PM PST by sushiman

Recently purchased a new HP Touchsmart computer with Windows 7 which came with 2 months free Norton Anti-Virus protection . I understand that MS offers free protection via Security Essentials and was wondering how well it worked compared to other AV services which cost $ . I use my PC for basic stuff at home and pretty much visit the same forums/news sites / etc everyday , and never open an email from someone I do not know so am relatively low risk for a virus , etc...Will SE suffice ? Pros and cons ? Any info appreciated .


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-55 next last
To: sushiman
I have used MSE since it's debut. I had used the free suite included with Charter Cable's Internet, but after a while, it would fail to update, even after multiple reloads. I got some aggressive pop up ads that wouldn't go away. MSE's debut was in the news at the time, so I loaded on my Toshiba running Vista.

Since then I got a new HP with Windows 7 and wiped out the free Norton and loaded MSE and it has been trouble free since. No viruses, no hiccups. Faster scans and updates than Charter's suite. (Twice I got panicky and did a update and a scan, which runs so fast, even on the old Toshiba).

21 posted on 12/28/2009 3:56:24 PM PST by sportutegrl (I was for Sarah Palin before being for Sarah was cool.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave

Pingaroo


22 posted on 12/28/2009 3:58:56 PM PST by Victor (If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert." -David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: sushiman
I upgraded all my home computers to 64 bit CPUs with across the board No Execute bit(NX bit) support in the CPU. This will take down about 95-98% of the viruses which exploit buffer overflow errors to infect your machine. It virtually takes out all the script kiddie stuff, leaving only the professionals writing really bad stuff -- ahem, stay away from those sites and you will be OK, make sure you wear protection if you don't..

You will need the appropriate OS to enable the NX protect feature, Windows 7 64 has it built in.

Real computers have enforced hardware separation between code and data pages for a very long time, bypassing the whole virus affair that windows users have had to wade through.

Most of the modern laptops have this 'NX bit' feature, the three Christmas laptops I bought had it, I believe all ATOM chips do, but you may want to check your CPU chip out at the Intel or AMD websites. Especially with laptops why waste cycles and battery on useless virus scanning tasks.

If I really want secure, like working the laptop over and insecure public hotspot, I switch to Ubuntu ... and use Ubuntu off of a bootable USB thumb drive exclusively for banking applications.

And above all else make rigid use of account management, never browse as admin ... Windows 7 64 is the best MS-OS so far.

You know what they say about free advice ...

23 posted on 12/28/2009 3:59:32 PM PST by Tarpon ( ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sportutegrl; All

Does anyone have any tips on how to get rid of Norton when it’s being stubborn? I keep getting a message that says that “another installer is running. Please wait for it to complete and try again.”


24 posted on 12/28/2009 4:02:16 PM PST by My hearts in London - Everett (So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: My hearts in London - Everett

We used Norton for a while, and it caused lots of problems blocking and slowing.
Free AVG was basic, no options kind of thing. My son, who works with computer encryption security, had me switch to Free Version Comodo. It found things AVG had missed, is very user friendly, has good options, and lots of helps.
Send your post to the computer thread..those guys have given me good help!


25 posted on 12/28/2009 4:04:42 PM PST by WestwardHo (Whom the god would destroy, they first drive mad.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: WestwardHo

Sorry about that last sentence, didn’t up computer thread when posting response.
Good advice on this thread. Love Malwarebyte!


26 posted on 12/28/2009 4:11:16 PM PST by WestwardHo (Whom the god would destroy, they first drive mad.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: sushiman

I have been wondering about the MS stuff as well, I am glad to see them doing that.

I do use Windows Defender and like it, I also use avast free, zonealarm free, a free copy (for one year)of IOBit security 360 pro, malwarebytes antimalware free, and superantispyware free.

I also do an occasional free scan with ESET online antivirus scanner, I like to double check my primary (live time) security with competitors versions.

You can run the MS suite and still periodically do scans with other brands, at least until you feel that you have become totally confidant of the MS versions.


27 posted on 12/28/2009 4:12:05 PM PST by ansel12 (anti SoCon. Earl Warren's court 1953-1969, libertarian hero, anti social conservative loser.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kingu

I would add NoScript to your Firefox extension. Granular control over Java and Javascript.


28 posted on 12/28/2009 4:13:15 PM PST by AFreeBird (Going Rogue in 2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: sushiman
For what it's worth:

PC Mag review of MS Security Essentials

In conclusion - Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 is free, and it's better than no protection at all. But it's not a big improvement over the now-defunct OneCare as far as malware protection goes. Somehow I expected better. As it is, you'll get more protection from avast! antivirus 4.8 Home Edition or AVG Anti-Virus Free 8.0—both of which are also free.


29 posted on 12/28/2009 4:21:40 PM PST by concentric circles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WestwardHo

Where do I find this computer thread?


30 posted on 12/28/2009 4:25:22 PM PST by My hearts in London - Everett (So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: My hearts in London - Everett

I used Windows Control Panel, Programs, uninstall on both notebooks. Didn’t have any problems, but then I never ‘activated’ Norton. I uninstalled it before I loaded and used something else.


31 posted on 12/28/2009 4:32:07 PM PST by sportutegrl (I was for Sarah Palin before being for Sarah was cool.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: sushiman

PC Tools.. get rid of Norton and anything Windows related.


32 posted on 12/28/2009 4:36:24 PM PST by maddog55 (Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: My hearts in London - Everett; ShadowAce
Where do I find this computer thread?

Shadow Ace maintains a "Tech Ping" list.

If you are looking for the past threads the best way would be to go to "shadowace's" posting history and look for this logo denoting all the tech pings.

33 posted on 12/28/2009 4:36:40 PM PST by raybbr (If you try to kiss your son on the head while he's running you WILL get a fat lip.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: sportutegrl

I’ll try uninstalling the two programs that Norton says are interfering with it’s operation, then try to uninstall Norton and then put the others back on. Aaaggghhh!


34 posted on 12/28/2009 4:39:33 PM PST by My hearts in London - Everett (So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: My hearts in London - Everett
Does anyone have any tips on how to get rid of Norton when it’s being stubborn? I keep getting a message that says that “another installer is running. Please wait for it to complete and try again.”

I am guessing you will have to manually edit your registry. Delete all references to Norton.

Be warned: If you are not familiar with regedit you could screw up your computer.

Do a search. I am sure there are plenty of forums out there with people explaining how to get rid of that crap.

35 posted on 12/28/2009 4:40:06 PM PST by raybbr (If you try to kiss your son on the head while he's running you WILL get a fat lip.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: My hearts in London - Everett

My bad! When I was typing my original response it looked like you had posted to gen/chat. Returning to the forum, you had,indeed, posted to computer/internet. sorry.
You’re getting good advice. You’ll avoid a lot of problems if you avoid porn and easy money sites. Good places to pick up viruses, and identity theft.
Malware will eliminates all kinds of junk that slow your computer.
More than one good anti-virus program is over-kill.


36 posted on 12/28/2009 4:40:43 PM PST by WestwardHo (Whom the god would destroy, they first drive mad.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: sushiman

I have the new MS and avast. When I get into trouble, only the avast lets me know and takes care of it. I’m going to dump MS


37 posted on 12/28/2009 4:48:12 PM PST by roving
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tarpon

I have an HP Touchsmart all in one PC with Windows 7 and 64 bit .


38 posted on 12/28/2009 5:04:27 PM PST by sushiman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: sushiman

ping for later


39 posted on 12/28/2009 5:22:50 PM PST by A Cyrenian
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: maddog55

I have a one month old HP Touchsmart 300 PC and Norton came pre-installed , free for two months . I want to uninstall it and go with MSE or AVG . Some folks are saying it’s a pain in the butt to remove Norton 100% . Should I have any trouble uninstalling using the control panel and remove programs ?


40 posted on 12/28/2009 5:31:23 PM PST by sushiman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-55 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson