Microsoft Security Essentials Fails AV-Test Certification

[techguy911]

MSE is an ok av but it has fallen behind in detection big time avast has been upgraded a dozen times this year alone and is MUCH faster, uses same amount of resources and detection rate on avast is MUCH higher than mse.
Most of the machine i get in my shop have mse installed and are taken over my fake av/rasomware.

Those that tried avast and say it slows down your machine it's been updated and improved since you last tried it.

 

[lp231]

Each user have their own preferences as to which antivirus programs they trust. Some trust Norton while others trust AVG, NOD32, Kaspersky, etc. If you want them to make a switch to something else, they may have doubts as to whether that other antivirus program will be as good as the one they're currently using. The only time they may make a switch is, if you can prove to them that the other is better when they see it for themselves, otherwise they'll stick with the antivirus program they like and there is nothing you can do about it.
So based on that report, it's nothing but a bunch of number where no one gives a damn.
I use Windows Defender (Windows 8)

 

[jkflipflop98]

[citation][nom]Pinhedd[/nom]The best anti-virus is a smart user[/citation]

Even the best users can get hit from time to time. Remember when the ads on the side of Tom's here were infecting people's computers with trojans? If a virus like that was hidden in the g+ button at the bottom of the page, you'd be infected right now, too - and I'm sure you count yourself in the "smart user" category.

 

[pjmelect]

In my experience MSE is light on system resources and is hassle free giving no false positives. Its downside is that it has large updates which makes it unsuitable if you are still on dial up, and does not detect as many viruses as say AVG which is better at detecting but gives more false positives. To get the best of both worlds I run MSE with Malwarebytes free which is non resident so does not slow down the computer and is very good at removing detected viruses and picks up anything that MSE misses.

 

[heffeque]

[citation][nom]extremepcs[/nom]But MSE doesn't turn your i7 system into a 486. THAT is why I use it.[/citation]
Actually... MSE is one of the slowest. Avira for example is one of the lightest ones out there.

 

[Guest]

I personally blame the major search engines (Google & Bing) for taking ad money from any body. The first hits from a search on either of those sites are usually ads and typically will lead you some where you don't want to be.

 

[sykozis]

[citation][nom]jaquith[/nom]The last 'virus' I've picked-up was from all places WhitePages.com through a JAVA exploit banner ad. So as you stated 'a lot' vs 'all' cases. I'm not a BitTorrent or other 'sites' kinda gut, but crap happens.[/citation]
You're exactly right. Crap does happen. Unfortunately, there are cases where it's unavoidable. But, a little care when browse does reduce the risk quite a bit.