I'm sticking with Avira AntiVir


pcworld

now available for download

MSE when it was in beta, gave me no conflicks with Trend Micro IS... I believe YoKenny1 had no issues also..

Just keep in mind, it IS an antivirus, and as such, should not be used with others. Please see this info from MSE's support site for more info .

Also don't forget to check out the EULA


http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentia...la.aspx#mainNav

Working just fine for me:
Microsoft Security Essentials Version: 1.0.1611.0
Antimalware Client Version: 2.0.6212.0
Engine Version: 1.1.5101.0
Antivirus definitions: 1.67.166.0
Antispyware definitions: 1.67.166.0

Microsoft Security Essentials Tech Overview
http://www.viddler.com/explore/andymct/videos/1 <== 12:54 minutes

Hi Ron! I can turn off Trend Micro + disconnect from the net, & run MSE, so am I in violation of EULA? validation checks have been going on since the beta in June I believe...regards..

Ah yes, but you can't update the program or keep it activated on the PC without occasional validation checks, which is what the EULA refers to . You basically simply have to accept the idea that MS will do these checks when you connect with MSE .

I know I've been getting occasional validation checks + every 2nd tuesday before the ms downloads since ms started that. I have a feeling they just want to make sure my MS product is not been stolen from anyone else...right?/wrong?

Is M/soft trying to get more into the A/V market by this release - Defender was a sideways version of MBAM (but not as good) -
Then they get enough free members and they try to cut out the other free A/V products - Now it looks like they even ruin pay versions with this -
@ AdvancedSetup -
If we read all the EULA's we would be looking at blank screens - I know I have no more than 'glanced' at most - There is even EULA / rules that cover this site that many of us have ever fully read - (I only know that because I get bored and scan 'pinned' articles that we all should read -

They aren't ruining anything, they're providing a free option in the hopes of improving the overall security of Windows systems by protecting more machines, thus reducing the occurance of infection as well as the propogation of malware. Honestly, I think it has more to do with Apple's criticisms, the current state of malware on the web and the emerging markets that don't have the money or PC's powerful enough to run most AV solutions. All they did was take OneCare, remove the non security based features along with the two-way firewall, reduce its resource usage, and release it as a free tool to provide protection for those users that usually don't run any AV, not to persuade users who already have a security solution to switch.

exile360:

True

It uses Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) for validation checks that is part of Microsoft's anti-piracy initiative:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Genuine_Advantage

Microsoft Genuine Advantage Program Information
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/ProgramIn...bf-c8762851674f

Validation is not available for Windows 7 yet:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads...73-00c1de535e5b

So if anyone asks it is OK to say this is a 'good' product and can be used as an A/V if they don't normally use one -
I just tell them to use Avira free if they don't have one -

MSE makes my list of recommendations, but just barely. For the free ones I recommend Avira, then Avast! then MSE, then AVG (which I don't generally actually recommend at all honestly).

AVG free has been off my list for a year or so at least -
I still get updates every 2 weeks for the XP SP1 - Even though I have been running SP3 ever since it came out -
That shows how well they check / validate what you are running - If I go to the update site it knows I run SP3, but the updates are still for 1, and I always get a message 'could not install etc. etc. ', because they are for early editions -? ?- (Yes I have a real XP )

That doesn't sound like a validation issue, it sounds like your installation or registry may be corrupted. You might try removing SP3, rebooting, then reinstalling it to see if the updates will show correctly.

But I don't know/wonder how AVG Free edition is still #1 in CNET downloads list, when Avira & Avast are far more better than AVG.

FYI: I have used both AVG Free & Pro. versions some years back. It's a headache.

Try Belarc Advisor http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Google lists AVG quite high when searching for 'anti virus':
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&sour...qi=g-s3g1g-s5g1

At least Avira and avast! are ahead of McAfee and Norton.

Yesterday I installed the new version of Avast 4.8 Pro. in my desktop.

Their's no conflict between Avast & MBAM or SAS.

I don't think there ever was? (except for a few users) Avast & Avira run great together

I tested this final version. I think it still has to improve on some points like memory usage, installer that puts WU back to automatic settings, or "accessibility" (WGA won't help clean the non-authentic windows, that are exposed to malwares and spread them, more than up-to-date authentic OSes), but the engine is very good, I didn't notice false positives, and the detections are really accurate.
In addition, I upload samples to MS for a long time now, and can tell there's no problem about responsiveness (important point for AV software) like some other companies.

I think it will be a good. Runs well with MBAM.

Many thanks for the info you have posted.

If you don't mind can you tell me it's memory usage?
Just one more ques. Does it have auto-updating feature?

Sorry for bothering you.

Hi, it doesn't bother, no problem.

On my test machine, with a XP home SP3 up to date, MSE was using around 60-70 Mb, with all actives modules. Antivir v9 free, on the same machine, was using around 30-35 Mb, well, almost the half.
On up to date machines, we have to note that MSE replaces Windows Defender, so the memory used by WD is free for MSE, and WD removed.
MSE remains an antivirus, with some Anti-Malware/spyware features, and it is not an add-on to some other antivirus, it is one, and the installer tells the user not to use it with another resident antivirus.

It has an auto update feature, there is a built-in scheduler for scans and updates as well, you can schedule a scan and tell it to update before the scan (hehe, good).

Good, good very useful details.

Thanks for your effort for thoroughly testing the soft.

Doesn't sound as horribly bad as I thought. Thank you for the review

I have been quite impressed with MSE during the beta period. I never once had a problem with it conflicting with MBAM (although there was a period of time that I had to have VirtualBox and CoD4 in it's exclusions list due to interference, and it borked my VMware Workstation install, but they fixed that prety quickly).

Yes, MS has gotten pretty serious about tracking malware and trying to stop it since it has been shown to hurt their market share in the OS department. They want to protect their users so they've taken many steps including WD, MSE, ForeFront and the programs they have going on with sharing threats and detections with other security software vendors along with info about existing vulnerabilities in Windows so the AV companies can block the threats exploiting the vulnerabilities until MS releases patches for them. I believe MSE will do well .

As for why AVG is the most popular on CNET, that's simple. It's the one everybody knows about. Many people haven't even heard of Avira or Avast! and they go with what their friends and family have told them about. I try to spread the word about the better tools out there, but there are many users that haven't even heard of SAS or MBAM and still use Spybot and AdAware as their primary malware scanners.

For more info on MS's security softwares and threat research you can take a look at their Malware Protection Center.