Microsoft Security Essentials

Discussion in 'other anti-virus software' started by Kees1958, Aug 9, 2009.

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  1. JohnnyDollar

    JohnnyDollar Guest

    I have another excellent layer, a clean image.:D
     
  2. Arin

    Arin Registered Member

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    MSE installed and running smooth as butter. Is there a page which contains all the features of this product not just the basic ones?
     
  3. Kees1958

    Kees1958 Registered Member

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    Yep, excellent layer, but do you load/restore that image from time to time and update it?
     
  4. RejZoR

    RejZoR Lurker

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    Is there any way to turn off on-access archive scanning? Even though it's nice, it's an unnecessary overhead, especially on overall weaker netbook.
    Otherwise i'd totally love it on netbook, it's just that everything lags badly when i download larger file or when i'm installing large games/programs that have archives for their data files.
     
  5. Morro

    Morro Registered Member

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    If you go to options/Advanced then there is a option for Archive scanning.
     
  6. RejZoR

    RejZoR Lurker

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    That option is only for on-demand/scheduled scans :(
     
  7. flik

    flik Registered Member

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    If you exclude the file types RAR, ZIP etc? Does it applies to the real time protection?
     
  8. Morro

    Morro Registered Member

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    Probably a stupid question, but are you sure? The description does not mention this. o_O
     
  9. RejZoR

    RejZoR Lurker

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    I've tried with EICAR. It was detected inside ZIP regardless of what i used for settings. I just installed a game and MSE brought my netbook to a complete 2 minute halt. It wasn't too diffferent when dealing with huge installers or archives on Core i7 920 @ 4GHz with 6GB of RAM and fast HDD. The lag was very noticeable. Then imagine same scenario on weak Atom based netbook...
     
  10. Morro

    Morro Registered Member

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    Well then perhaps they should look into that at Microsoft.

    And i just noticed something strange, i hat MSE scheduled to do a Full scan at 18.00pm but it some how started half an hour before that?
     
  11. Patrician

    Patrician Registered Member

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    I am sorry but I would much rather that malware was spotted by my AV's email scanner at the time of downloading and blocked/disinfected at that time, than left sitting on my HDD like a ticking timebomb. For me the whole reason for running AV software is to stop maleware getting even getting to my hardrive! I do not want my AV software to sit there twiddling it's, metaporical, thumbs alowing anything and everything to get on my HDD, thinking to it's self "it's ok, I'll get it when it's opened/run! lets just chill for now"!
     
  12. Brent Hutto

    Brent Hutto Registered Member

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    For my part, I'm quite happy having my E-mail left alone. I find Prevx's model of near-minimalist functionality and as a result tiny footprint to be an excellent one. To the extent that MSE comes in somewhere toward that end of the continuum it is to me more desirable than something tending toward a "suite" paradigm. Checklists of features/modes/functions/modules are not my thing.
     
  13. rogervernon

    rogervernon Registered Member

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    My summation of MSE - it's reasonably OK. Doesn't update enough. Limited customisation.
    Back to Avira (free) for me.
     
  14. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm

    Believe what you want the facts are there. But use whatever you feel gives you a sense of security, although I'm sure many people could have debates of the idea of "sense of security" I think that's for another thread.
     
  15. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    Doesn't need to waste your bandwidth updating constantly like other AV's, you should read about the Dynamic Signatures and how it works.

    But the "limited customization" is a design goal not a design flaw.
     
  16. ASpace

    ASpace Guest

    Goal or Flaw :rolleyes: ;)

    Goal for one , flaw for other
     
  17. IceCube1010

    IceCube1010 Registered Member

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    MSE follows the K.I.S.S philosophy. Nothing wrong with that. I have too many other complications in life.
    Ice
     
  18. HKEY1952

    HKEY1952 Registered Member

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    Microsoft Security Essentials reflects the ideal Design Goal that all Antivirus venders should learn from and practice in their end products.
    Too many customization settings only lead to end user confusion and bloated software.
    Constant, or hourly updates to malware definitions or program updates only steals bandwidth and adds bloat to software.
    Fancy graphics and/or animated objects only distract end users and adds bloat to software.
    Burying program options, tools, reports, settings, and security information beyond two levels deep only creates navigation confusion for end users and adds bloat to software.

    The clean, eye pleasing, color coordinated, tabbed Graphical User Interface (GUI) of Microsoft Security Essentials provides an easy to learn and an easy to navigate security solution.
    The tabbed Graphical User Interface void of any Tool Bars, other than the Help Menu, restricts navigation to within the main window of the tabbed Graphical User Interface.
    All security information and program settings within the tabs of the Graphical User Interface are no more than two levels deep providing easy access, less confusion, and easy to learn navigation.

    The only exception where navigation and information exists outside of the main tabbed Graphical User Interface is the Help System, and the links destinations listed in the Drop Menu under Help.
    The links destination in the word Help and the links destinations in the Drop Menu under Help navigate the end user to Web Pages or New Windows outside of the tabbed Graphical User Interface.
    All other links and information are restricted to within the main window of the tabbed Graphical User Interface.

    MSE_gui.JPG

    Clicking on the word Help, or the question mark Icon representing Help, navigates the end user to the Microsoft Security Essentials Support Web Page located within the Microsoft Security Essentials Home Page:

    Microsoft Security Essentials Support Web Page:
    http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/support.aspx

    Clicking on the down arrow next to the word Help displays an Drop Menu populated with an array of choices:

    01)- Get offline help = navigates the end user to an New Window containing the Microsoft Security Essentials Help System stored locally on the end users computer:
    MSE_help.JPG

    02)- Upgrade Microsoft Security Essentials = navigates the end user to an New Window containing an wizard allowing the end user to manually check for and install updated software versions to Microsoft Security Essentials:
    MSE_wizard.JPG

    03)- Submit malicious software sample = navigates the end user to the Microsoft Malware Protection Center through an secure https connection where the end user can submit files to Microsoft that are suspected of containing
    malware or potentially unwanted software by filling out an Form and Uploading the file:
    Submit an Sample: https://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Submission/Submit.aspx

    04)- View privacy statement = navigates the end user to the Microsoft Security Essentials Resources Web Page located within the Microsoft Security Essentials Home Page:
    Microsoft Security Essentials Privacy Statement: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/privacy.aspx

    05)- View license agreement = navigates the end user to an New Window containing the End User License Agreement (EULA) stored locally on the end users computer:
    MSE_eula.JPG

    06)- About Microsoft Security Essentials = navigates the end user to an New Window containing System information about Microsoft Security Essentials stored locally on the end users computer:
    MSE_about.JPG


    So what is there to customize in Microsoft Security Essentials? The answer is nothing.....Microsoft Security Essentials is an set-it-and-forget-it security solution with an easy to navigate and learn Graphical User Interface.

    By default Microsoft Security Essentials scans all files on access or on write as an Antimalware scanner should. If the end user wishes to exclude certain files, locations, file types, or processes from the real-time protection
    or on-demand scans, these options are available to the end user under the tab: 'Settings', however, why would one want to do that? Any file can be infected at any time.

    By default Microsoft Security Essentials is completely automated and the end user needs to do nothing.....

    By default Microsoft Security Essentials will:
    Scan all files on access or on write in real-time
    Update Virus and Spyware Definitions automatically at least once during any twenty four hour period, or when needed, or before automated scheduled scans
    Run an Automated Daily Scheduled Quick Scan on the computer updating the Virus and Spyware Definitions first before scanning
    Notify the end user when an Upgraded Version of Microsoft Security Essentials is available for download, and guide the end user to installing the automated Upgrade with the aid of an wizard

    EDIT: Note that the end user may Disable: Automatic Updates, in Control Panel without affecting Microsoft Security Essentials functionality, however, the Service: Automatic Updates, must be Started and set to Automatic.


    HKEY1952
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2009
  19. Macstorm

    Macstorm Registered Member

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    That was a nice summary of MSE :thumb:
     
  20. rolarocka

    rolarocka Guest

    Easy usability is always the best for everyone. I hate to see products with tons of settings and tons of features. Do i get a 100% protection with that? No.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 6, 2009
  21. nanana1

    nanana1 Frequent Poster

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    Update : Despite what some of the forumers here are saying negative things, my 2 computers running Microsoft Security Essentials are doing great with daily updates. No problems whatsoever:D

    Pretty sure future versions if needed will get better:p
     
  22. BlueZannetti

    BlueZannetti Registered Member

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    Everyone needs to appreciate that some users have bad experiences with any product. The causes are varied and at times really don't reflect on the product that is criticized.

    My own experience during a short run with MSE (~ 2 months) is that it's quite fine. As HKEY 1952 mentions above, "Too many customization settings only lead to end user confusion and bloated software". I agree and this is the strong suite of MSE. Install it, basically step aside, and let it function.

    Obviously, lots of folks like to have a lot of interaction with these types of product. They will tend to find discomfort in the approach followed by MSE. Me? Much less so. A perfect solution in my eyes is one that I really don't know is present (I realize the downside, I may not know whether it is functioning)

    For a free option it's an excellent, very low maintenance option.

    Blue
     
  23. simisg

    simisg Registered Member

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  24. Baserk

    Baserk Registered Member

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    No issues with Comodo/D+ on Win7 Enterprise trial edition 32-bit, running flawless sofar.

    /As for the above discussion, I agree that it's probably a blessing for mum&dad, young kids etc. and all those who don't (really) care about config options as long as it does it's job well.
    I still would like to know a bit more as f.i. a simple fact as archive recursion depth o_O
     
  25. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

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    Microsoft has a history of creating easy-to-use software.

    Windows was supposed to be 'easier' to use than DOS (although DOS seemed easier to use than Windows 3.1 to me ...).

    But the best, and the most secure ? No.

    I suppose a program like this was to be expected since they were already distributing the once-a-month malware removal as part of Windows update.

    It remains to be seen how well it will perform in the long run.
     
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