Correction: Linux doesn't need anti virus software for its own sake, but if you're on a network with Windows machines it's best to scan your files to prevent infected documents being passed on. More than once AV on Linux and Macs's has protected Windows machines in the network. ClamAV is a very decent product for Linux.
Jason Rukus
· 2 months ago
So where is the software to fix the fixes in the Microsoft fixing program? Perhaps they should do a redesign of their OS from the ground up so it's not so prone to infections?
I use Macs but I recommend Kaspersky (even though it's a part of a communist conspiracy to overthrow our government...) to anyone who asks.
Josh Fraser
· 2 months ago
What do I use to protect my computer against viruses? A mac.
Name
· 2 months ago
hmm... it's Microsoft so let's w8 a couple of years before using it maybe then they found the bugs and solved it.
Name
· 2 months ago
How long will it be before their anti-virus software gets taken down by virii and security exploits?
City Streets Board
· 2 months ago
I think I'll stick with Avira
A Steien
· 2 months ago
how do you get this software?
Ediciuz Virtuoso
· 2 months ago
The link is in the first paragraph...
azolnai
· 2 months ago
I use Karpinsky c/o Virginmedia - meaning that competition isn't other (free?) AV/AS/AM, but that which ISPs bundle with services - competition is hotting up in the UK for ex., so it's thrown in for free up to 3 PCs/account w/ free bandwidth upgrade - MSFT and ISPs figure that's good investment NOT having to cleaning up after, as real cost is tech support not s/w
Σχολή Χορού
· 2 months ago
I like my nod23 but that's good news. I really miss the simplicity and ability for user interaction of some old extinguished products like, kerio personal firewall (version 2 not 4 and above) and the version 2 eset nod32 in witch you could decide not to clean or delete a desired file.
leb0wski
· 2 months ago
So what's the difference between this Security Essentials and Microsoft Forefront?
Ryan Lalonde
· 2 months ago
I use Avast on my desktop and Avira on my laptop. I won't be switching to this anytime soon.
Guest
· 2 months ago
I think I will Stick with Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 :)
Nicholas Crawford
· 2 months ago
Interesting...I'm installing now. What was Mashable's reaction? Likes? Dislikes?
Cheryl McDonnell
· 2 months ago
I use NOD32 by ESET, which is a super program that doesn't hog memory or CPU. It blocks pretty much all known threats and updates up to 4 times daily. I'm not sure I would trust a program by microsoft, simply because I don't think they have put enough time into the ins & outs of running AV software. Most AV companies have dozens of labs & techs on the job, it is an industry alone, which I don't think Microsoft will manage very well. The windows updates are also an essential part of system security, and we have to wait one whole month from when exploits are found, till we get patches to close them. If microsoft were a bit more proactive in getting critical remote code execution patches out to us, we might not need to focus so hard on 3rd party programs to keep our machines safe. Microsoft make these systems with SO many exploitable flaws, they're constantly churning out patches for more & more of them. They need to focus on making the Windows OS more secure in the first place. Even if it means rewriting the whole concept of windows, Microsoft won't admit it, but they really are not above malware authors, who are running rings around them with things like Blaster ( a couple of years ago ), and the more recent conficker.
aboutjer
· 2 months ago
For myself, I like Norton and Kaspersky and luckily at home I run mostly Apples. I recommend Symantec Corporate Edition for most of my clients that don't have in-house IT departments. I am not a fan of McAfee because many of my clients report problems with the user interface for some odd reason.
For the freebies, I like Avira and Avast!. I will have to check out MS freebie on the new Windows 7.
jberg
· 2 months ago
We used Live One Care and knock wood, it's worked so far. Sad to see it go! But think about it, Microsoft probably creates all these viruses & trojans so who better to get protection from? Amirite?
Name
· 2 months ago
Good to know about the Microsoft option. I've been a loyal user of the "a-squared" security suite(Emisoft)for about 3 or 4 years. They get a 5/5 from me. Also have used McAfee. Their suite worked just fine. But I did not like when they switched over to autorenewal with no notice. They took funds, unauthorized, out of an account. It was also very difficult to find out how to cancel what did not start out as one but suddenly became a subscription with McAfee. "a-squared," so far, has been the best out of the handful of security software I've tried over the years.
Oboewan
· 2 months ago
"Easy integration with Windows?" Not even Windows has easy integration with Windows.
And shouldn't this be part of the system itself? So that this wouldn't be necessary?
Above all, WHY IS ANYONE IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS TRUSTING MICROSOFT FOR THEIR SECURITY?
Johnny Rivera
· 2 months ago
As I former MCSE, consultant for Fortune 500 companies and now business owner, I really have issues with trusting Microsoft with anything new they put on the market. That is, until it's been debugged. That process alone takes years.
This really should get people's red flags up: "...if you already have an anti-virus or anti-malware program installed, make sure you uninstall it before installing Security Essentials."
Right.
Lukas H
· 2 months ago
I don't use anti-virus software. I use Firefox, so I don't get browser jacked. I've been using the 'net long enough to know if something is dodgy, and I don't open weird .exe files. I have a good firewall and traffic monitor, so I'd spot anything weird dialing home pretty quickly. I also don't fileshare, which is where most of the viruses I've cleaned off other people's computers have originated. This is less a problem with Bittorrent, but was a nightmare with friends who used Limewire and Kazaa. It's been so long since I had a virus, I'm almost nostalgic about them.
AA
· 2 months ago
I've been using Avast and I have installed this MS product today (something tells me this should be pushed to all Microsoft PCs OR Microsoft is ten years too late to deliver this product). Any way, the only reason I might consider removing Avast is if I see a big difference in memory usage of both processes. So far, Avast's "ashServ.exe" is 13K versus Microsoft's "MsMpEng.exe" is 30K. Will give it a few days ride before deciding what to do, obviously don't want to run two anti-virus software (I wouldn't even run a single one if it was up to me).
AA
· 2 months ago
I uninstalled the sucker, it would hang my machine at the startup. I'm fine with Free Avast and Free Spywareblaster.
Donagh Mc Sweeney
· 2 months ago
I'm happy with AVG so don't think I'll change to be honest
Anthony Bynoe
· 2 months ago
I've been using security essentials beta for a few months now. It works quite well to me.
Christina Warren
· 2 months ago
NOD32 is my favorite too. I'm a Mac user but that's what I typically use on my VMs and it's what I make my mom use too.
Erik
· 2 months ago
I'm afraid that this may be a virus in itself, with as much confidence as I have in Microsoft products.
McAfee probably isn't the best, but I also don't do idiotic things on the internet ;)
Miguel
· 2 months ago
I don't believe in antivirus programs, am running Vista and browse with Chrome, my PC is as fast as when I bought it.
It's good that Microsoft offers a free alternative, and they should if they want less people flocking to Apple for security reasons.
cd rohlinge
· 2 months ago
I love it how Microsoft probably won't be allowed to release this, despite it actually helping consumers. The EU will have a field day if they release it in Europe.
Michael Hart
· 2 months ago
I love ESET Smart Security. Very affordable, and very low performance demands. On a quad-core PC, it's uses 2% of core 3 while doing idle scanning. 22MB of ram currently (out of 4GB available), so it's not hogging that either.
I'm still using AVG Free...would take quite a bit for me to make the switch, though!
Pat Bitton
· 2 months ago
Microsoft doesn't give you an equivalent of either LinkScanner or AVG Identity Protection. Since viruses are now less than 5% of the malware problem, anyone choosing the Microsoft solution would be well advised to add these solutions on top of it to take care of drivebys, zero-days, and new/unknown malware.
English Dubbed Anime
· 2 months ago
ugh, if it's Microsoft, it's crap.
Gloria Rubaine
· 2 months ago
It's about time they did this. Their products are so expensive.
All Comments
I use Macs but I recommend Kaspersky (even though it's a part of a communist conspiracy to overthrow our government...) to anyone who asks.
For the freebies, I like Avira and Avast!. I will have to check out MS freebie on the new Windows 7.
But think about it, Microsoft probably creates all these viruses & trojans so who better to get protection from? Amirite?
Not even Windows has easy integration with Windows.
And shouldn't this be part of the system itself? So that this wouldn't be necessary?
Above all, WHY IS ANYONE IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS TRUSTING MICROSOFT FOR THEIR SECURITY?
This really should get people's red flags up: "...if you already have an anti-virus or anti-malware program installed, make sure you uninstall it before installing Security Essentials."
Right.
McAfee probably isn't the best, but I also don't do idiotic things on the internet ;)
It's good that Microsoft offers a free alternative, and they should if they want less people flocking to Apple for security reasons.
I couldn't be more skeptical of MS software.