Free Microsoft Anti-Virus?

[IanHenry]

Hi,
Has anyone tried the new Microsoft Security Essentials with FSX? It is the replacement for the now discontinued Windows Live (payware) OneCare Apparently Microsoft claim that with Windows 7 it is the only security that you will need and also very undemanding on the system. It is available here:

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Sounds good from what I was reading about it but is this too good to be true?
I am very curious about the claim that it has a small “footprint”

Regards,
Ian.

[Bjoern]

Hm, if it really proves to be as secure as other solutions I might dump Antivir.

[orionll]

Works well here, no noticeable degrade in performance to me.

[Naismith]

Review here http://www.addictivetips.com/windows...h-screenshots/
Seems pretty +ve

Edit - seems it is 32 bit only, wont install on a 64bit system.

[NCGent]

It's for 64 and 32 both...I'm running win 7 64 and it loaded fin. Theres links on the download page for both.

[rwmarth]

Running this on 64bit Vista and must say I much prefer this over the newest version of AVG. Easy to understand UI and not very resource intensive. Ive always found antivirus programs to be pretty much nothing but overkill so this should be pretty much all one needs.

[IanHenry]

I like it.

Ian

[kilo delta]

Ive always found antivirus programs to be pretty much nothing but overkill so this should be pretty much all one needs.

I'd have to disagree with you on that point.....a good AV is an absolute necessity on any computer that is connected to the internet in this day and age. Also, you tend to get what you pay for so I generally steer clear of free AV software.

[Odie]

Does it have a firewall with the anti-virus part? I'm currently using TrendMicro's Internet proctection package that has AV and Firewall in the same package.

[GT182]

Ive been running it for a month now and I like it. Takes less time for your system to start up, and it's not a resource hog like AVG and Webroot SpySweeper are.... especailly during scans.

One thing to note. Uninstall SpySweeper if you get Security Essentials. If you don't, and even shutting it down with msconfig, SpySweeper will still load on start up. I had it shut down but all of a sudden it would load, now I can't keep it from loading on start up. And it's p*ssing me off. I've been letting it load the last couple of days and then shutting down. Tho I would like to compare what Essentials and SpySweeper find, and if their scans come up with different findings.

Odie, Essentials doesn't have a firewall, as far as I know. But XP does and that's what I'm using with no problems. Besides, if you have a router, that also has a firewall in it. So you should still be safe.

[bushpilot]

I gotta agree, this has been one of the most pleasant AV experiences. It's a keeper for me.

[PRB]

A timely subject for me. I just installed MS Security Essentials on two of my computers, and am in the process of trying to remove the nsrbgxod.bak virus from my other computer. It’s a mother to remove. I’ve tried MalwareBytes and Spybot Search and Destroy, to no avail. I’ve booted the computer using a boot CD and deleted the file, and the three dlls that it also places on your computer, and deleted the two registry entries it creates. No joy. Every time I boot the machine, nsrbgxod.bak is back, sitting in the c:\documents and settings\[user]\local settings\Temp\ folder. I’ve run all the anti-virus and anti-malware applications on the boot CD. Still it comes back. Tonight I’m going to try turning off system restore and eliminating the disk drive space allocated for that, and I will also try repairing the master boot record. If that doesn’t work, it may be time to re-format the drive.

But as for MS Security Essentials, looks like a good application. Running fine on the other two machines.

[Odie]

Answered my own Firewall question **Doh***

From the MSE answers section:

"Although MSE will not include a firewall in the first version as Jim mentioned, we are considering adding a firewall management capability in the next version of MSE. It will not be an integral firewall but will enable management of the Windows firewall"

So it looks like a 3rd party firewall will still be needed for the time being.

[bushpilot]

So it looks like a 3rd party firewall will still be needed for the time being.

I think it will always be the safest bet to have separate firewall. Windows firewall is only for inbound connections and does not block outbound traffic. And I once run ShieldsUp firewall test with windows firewall and it didn't pass.

[Snuffy]

PRB ... try crapcleaner ... and select all options.

Beware of CC though, cuz if you have forgotten all your passwords to your websites you visit, you'll be asking for them to send you that information, as CC will eliminate everything.

I use it everyday at work just before quitting time, and I run it at least once a week at home.