Microsoft Security Essentials - Who Should Get It
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I have been beta testing the software known as Microsoft Security Essentials since it was released. The software is currently installed on my test box which is running Windows 7 RTM along with a virtual copy of Windows XP. I am using MSE for both operating systems and it works very well with one exception. The scan feature is a little slow. But with this minor inconvenience the real question is who should be using the software?
MSE is very easy to use and uses a minimal of system resource. Though both Norton and McAfee have made great strides on slimming down their software from the bloatware of the past, there is one issue they can not slim down. That being the pricing they charge for their products. I personally stopped using paid anti-virus programs about six years ago when the expense for running five systems was costing me over $200 a year for protection. I started using free software like AVG, Spybot Search & Destroy and other freebies to keep my systems clean.
But one of the issues I noted with using multiple programs was when I was operating my own computer business and placed these software on client machines, those who were not tech savvy, would struggle with trying to understand how the software functioned.
This is where I believe MSE shines. For those who can not afford traditional paid software MSE offers an alternative. MSE is also easy to use and is a ’set it forget it’ software that any PC user can use. For those of you who surf the Internet without any protections in place, I highly recommend giving MSE a try. You will be protecting your computer but more importantly you will be protecting others who surf the net as well.
MSE works with Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista and Windows 7. Give it a try before you critique the software and post useless comments that do more harm than good.
Comments welcome.
Comments welcome.
5 Comments
Buffet
October 1st, 2009
at 1:59pm
Ron, after seeing that both you and “Security Garden” gave it a ‘thumbs up’ as a trusted and potebtially worthwhile program, I initially decided to give it a whirl, UNTIL I read where doing so meant temporarily removing my NOD32. Though my curiosity remains, I can’t see leaving myself vulnerable like that. Any ideas on how long it might be till we see some testing and comparisons (hopefully unbiased) between MS and other utilities?
Ron Schenone
October 1st, 2009
at 2:08pm
If you are comfortable and confident in NOD32, keep using it.
As for comparisons, Virus Bulletin next scheduled testing which will be on Windows 7, and I imagine will include MSE, will be tested in November and published December 2009.
I would wait for their testing results since they are trustworthy compared to Joe blogger or any PC magazine who may be getting a ‘reward’ for their glowing review.
Buffet
October 1st, 2009
at 2:34pm
Thank you sir.
Rob
October 24th, 2009
at 6:39am
I am using MSE since MS featured it, and has been a very good experience. I have included into my enterprise business and has taken my viruses out from my network. Hey, there’s a tip about the scan feature: sometimes the AV is little slow when comes to clean or remove potentials threats. That is because the program always create a system restore point before cleaning, so, go to the Settings Tab, click on the Advanced menu and uncheck ‘Create a system restore point’. This will unleash the speed when cleaning the files. This is an great effort from MS bringing us this tool.
Ron Schenone
October 24th, 2009
at 6:53am
Thanks for the tip.