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Microsoft Security Essentials rated best free antivirus for Windows
Thousands of downloads. Countless positive reviews on software blogs around the Internet. It's been quite a ride so far for Microsoft Security Essentials.
In AV Comparative's most recent report on malware removal, MSE was the only free antivirus rated Advanced+. That ranking placed it alongside big names like Norton, Kaspersky, and F-Secure. Security Essentials also beat out technician favorite ESET, which managed only an Advanced rating.
It's also worth noting that only three antivirus apps - Norton 2010, eScan, and Security Essentials - scored marks of good or better in removal of malware and removal of leftovers. So not only has MSE beaten free competitors like AVG (version 8.5 tested, not 9.0), Avira, and Avast, it also posted test scores equal to or better than a dozen antivirus programs you'd have to pay for.
Well done, Microsoft!
[via Ars Technica]
Comments
40
Subscribe to commentschrisarozOct 31st 2009 10:55AM
Great article as usual Lee. You always post the most useful things!
minibarOct 31st 2009 12:06PM
reason i'm unimpressed with mse is (at least last i read) there is no command line scanner so i can manually scan everything downloaded. e.g. firefox addon downloadstatusbar has a 'manually scan each download' option. i consider anything downloaded to be particularly prone to be malware which requires a complete file scan, not just a "live" quick review. i plan to try mse eventually, but without this feature it will not last long on my pc.
alarmproOct 31st 2009 12:25PM
Sure it's fine if you don't mind it using 30% of your CPU. I tested it on a Dual-Core 2.6 GHz w/ 4GB RAM Windows 7 64 bit. It used 70% CPU while scanning and 30% on standby! WTF??
MysteriusOct 31st 2009 6:02PM
And on my slightly-higher specced laptop, it uses
MysteriusOct 31st 2009 6:05PM
... less than 1% CPU and less than 4MB RAM while idle, while running a system scan it generally uses less than 5% CPU and less than 5MB RAM.
Better luck with your next antivirus experience.
alarmproOct 31st 2009 7:07PM
Thanks. I think I'll stick with free Avira Anti-Vir.
shamaezaheerOct 31st 2009 1:40PM
I just found it a bit slow and intrusive. I'll stick to my AVG for now.
Kenn.keeperOct 31st 2009 5:04PM
RE: Post #3
I agree with Lee on the term Malware. Anything malicious on a computer would be considered Malware. One of the few experts I know dealing with malicious apps has spend years researching the subject refers to anything that is not owner installed that can cause harm to a computer is Malware.
Now for Microsoft's Security Essentials, I have been using and testing it since day one beta stage, mentioned here on numerous occasions as probably THE best Free anti-virus/malware program (and no I don't work for them). Yes there are other programs on the market that are free and paid versions and it a matter of choice, but MSE is good for me. Those who seem to have problems using it take the time to read about it first before complaining, why do you think there is a "Help" section......
Free is Good.....
Kenn.
PS: I always enjoy your thought provoking posts Lee
h4xor66Oct 31st 2009 8:22PM
i installed this today against my better judgment on the advice of leo laporte ... i immediatly hate it and will be uninstalling it tomorrow .... the first thing it did was change my computers settings to automatically download and install microsoft udates which happened right in the middle of me trying to edit some video so my puter locked up and needed to be rebooted ( old laptop with 1.1gig and 256 ram) ..... yes i know its a good idea to download the updates , and i do , but i do it on MY time when im not in the middle of a cpu intensive process ... that just pisses me off how they just decided to make changes to the configuration of my computer without my knowledge or consent ( i consider that malware ) .... i decided to find out what else microsoft decided was best for me , and found out that as long as this software is installed that i am a part of the spynet network where they collect information about me and my computer and upload it to their servers at any time they feel like ... it clearly says microsoft may unintentionally collect private and personal information about you , but we wont use it against you ... you can not opt out of this service that right there is the defintion of SPYWARE ... i should have know that the single company that is the reason we even need antivirus in the first place , because they cant build a secure system , would be a poor choice to protect my computer from people taking over my computer and downloading personal and private info on me ... which is what this stupid product does
RaptorNov 1st 2009 1:45PM
@polobunny
You're a douche bag. RTFA next time.
JeebusNov 3rd 2009 9:18AM
It's one word: douchebag
larsNov 1st 2009 7:36PM
Awesome. Upgrading my AVG to 9.0, which I forgot to do ;)
larsNov 1st 2009 7:37PM
AVG, Avast! and Avira rocks ;)
jfjbNov 1st 2009 9:48PM
People, people...
Unless you're below the age of pubescence, you're wasting saliva,energy and time.
Check professional reviews if and when you need to get facts and/or to make an educated choice.
i.e. http://www.av-comparatives.org/
Check blogging people to read news and opinions.
What I mean to say is: don't mix towels and rags.
My two cents, of course; I may be wrong.
Surf's up, dudes and dudettes.
jfjbNov 1st 2009 9:58PM
I forgot a few indicators to consult once in a while:
http://mtc.sri.com/live_data/av_rankings/
http://www.icsalabs.com/
Many more, check for yourself, don't follow the wind made by those who break it.
Now, one of the best sources for information is the tech support site for each and every product: reading about encountered problems and bugs is enlightening for the educated mind.
Craig KensekNov 6th 2009 2:58PM
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0 was rated more highly than MS in a online review by PC Magazine posted in late October. People can "google" the article. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition also provides real-time safe surf capabilities with its AVG LinkScanner component (also available for home use, free, as a separate component. linkscanner.avg.com .
ramki.111Nov 15th 2009 2:49AM
hi this is ramki
saso_bitolaNov 24th 2009 6:58AM
Microsoft Security Essentials scored high results in AV Comparatives testing and its rated as advanced+.That means something.It is the best antivirus for free and its much better than one that you have to pay
johan.emilssonDec 13th 2009 2:06AM
It is just awesome, im runnign it on XC P3 old Thinkpad T23 and it is a hell of a lot better than anything i have tried(and i have tried both free and payable ones)
cvaevaJan 14th 2010 10:19AM
Microsoft Security Essentials: a privacy risk