Microsoft Security Essentials allegedly...

...being released tomorrow.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=4091

Might be worth a look. Anyone here involved with the limited beta?

 

Source:
http://news.google.com/news/story?q...&sa=X&oi=news_result&ct=more-results&resnum=4

 

You beat me.

 

I was and it had high ram usage. Customization options were limited too, but since this is targeted at non tech people, its fine for them.

Review

 

Got an email awhile back saying the final will be released in coming weeks, so I don't doubt tomorrow is the day.

Used it through the beta, will continue to use the final. Works great for me.

 

Looking forward to this. Looking to get rid of AVG. Hopefully, the final version will be pretty good.

 

Now available for download : http://www.microsoft.com/Security_essentials/

 

Downloaded. Didn't even have to uninstall the beta. Just upgraded it.

 

Ha the page is now down... tons of people must be getting it..

Whats better nod32 v.4 or this?

 

I'm downloading right now

 

anyone else want to comment on ram/performance usage?

 

RAM usage is around 75+ MB with two processes. But MSE will clear up RAM if needed by other programs.

 

I checked it out on my Windows 7 desktop, x64 with 8 GB RAM. I detect no performance degradation, at least compared to the free version of Avast that I uninstalled to try this out. Assuming that the effectiveness of the scanner is up to snuff, it seems like a viable alternative to other free AV products.

 

The ram usage was not super high, always around 70-100mb, its just more than I was used to with Avira.

 

I just installed it for the first time, let it update, ran it, and now with it running in the background it is using a little under 100mb. All in all the ram usage is not a problem especially not when I finally get around to installing a 64-bit os. Its uninitiated updating and scanning and constant cpu usage that bothers me and I haven't noticed any of those problems or any negative performance impact yet. Also of note after the first full scan it did detect and then remove some kind of malware after I asked it to.

Of the few free programs I have used I like its clean interface and ease of use/updating and I hope they update it as frequently as defender. Since its free and easy to use I will probably install it on my parent's and my little brother's computer because they aren't tech savy in the least.

 

^^
regarding updates, I have been using beta version and they release an update daily.

 

read below.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8279109.stm

download below

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx


Microsoft launches free security

The software will be available for free from Microsoft

Microsoft has released its free computer security package to the public.

From 1700 BST on 29 September, Windows users will be able to download the software from Microsoft's Security Essentials website.

The free software gives basic protection against viruses, trojans, rootkits, and spyware.

The Essentials software is Microsoft's second try at making an own-brand security package.

Prior to release, a beta version of Microsoft's Security Essentials (MSE) software, codenamed Morro, has been available to users in the US, China, Brazil, and Israel.

Genuine PC

Microsoft said the software would be available to anyone who wanted to use it and downloading it would not involve registering with the software firm or having a limit on the amount of time it could be used for.

"It's not being included as part of the operating system or as an automatic update," said Cliff Evans, head of security and privacy at Microsoft UK.

Figures gathered by the Get Safe Online campaign suggest that 50% of PCs in the UK do not have up-to-date anti-malware software installed.

This latest release is intended to help close that gap.

"There are not enough people taking up anti-malware subscriptions," said Mr Evans. "We want to make sure that across the world enough people have access to something."

He said alongside the software, people still needed to run a firewall and keep their browser and operating system up to date with the latest patches and fixes.

The only restriction on use is that it has to be installed on a "genuine" Windows PC - one whose copy of its operating system has been verified by Microsoft.

In the free software market Microsoft faces competition from many others including AVG, Alwil Avast, Avira Antivir and Comodo.

The free software runs on Windows XP, Vista and will also be available for Windows 7 when it is released in late October.

Malware writers

Updates will be provided automatically to those who install the software.

Commenting on Microsoft Security Essentials Roger Thompson, chief research officer for AVG, said: "I do not think it's a bad thing. It's only a bad thing if people think that's all they need to do.

He added: "The danger is if users think that they can just get by with the Microsoft tool."

Mr Thompson also wondered if MSE itself would become a target for malware writers who, if they manage to penetrate it, would potentially have a large pool of victims to target.

Prior to working on Security Essentials, Microsoft offered its Windows Live OneCare paid security software but this failed to win a significant user base in the highly competitive consumer market.

This was retired at the end of June 2009 though Microsoft said it would honour any outstanding subscriptions to the software.

 

It is unfair to link it to the failed Live One care
MSE is powered by the Scanning Engine of ForeFront Security a solid security software.
Basically Microsoft is spoiling the market by providing the market with excellent free Anti-Virus.
Of Course AVG and other AV Companies have to say it sucks otherwise they will be gone sooner than expected.
Microsoft smartly did not package this software with their OS or AV Companies would have sued them for quick cash.

 

If It's any better than AVG I'll go ahead and switch. I never bother paying because I don't get viruses to start with ~_~

 

Let's ask Mr. Thompson the same question: I wonder what would happen if AVG itself became a target for malware writers who, if they manage to penetrate it, would potentially have a large pool of victims to target. I like AVG but am disappointed at the disingenuous comments by their C.R.O. Now I guess I will have to try out the Microsoft version so I can cast my vote against Mr. Thompson's comment by no longer recommending AVG to my clients.

Gary

 

Gary, you should try Avira. I tried MSE and liked it, except that it didn't update it's definitions frequently (still relies upon Windows Update to do this).

 

It is only natural they would be responding in this manner.
You expected them to say "Yes MSE is just as good as my software and it is free hence better"?
If he said that he would be fired the next day.

Microsoft has the edge because THEY DESIGNED WINDOWS.

 

Let the FUD begin.

I don't see the part about high ram usage.....

 

There is a HUGE difference in saying something about what sets your own product apart and casting fear, uncertainty and doubt on your competitor. Especially if your own product is no less vulnerable to the same sort of attack. I didn't expect him to heap praise on Microsoft. But I also didn't expect the BS he did say. It was crass.

Gary

 

Well, it is higher than other free AV's.

 

I reported earlier that it was using around 90-95mb running in the background. At that time it had an icon on the taskbar, had just updated, and I had yet to reboot the computer. The last 2 times I checked its ram usage including right now it is using 52mb. Although it is still running in the background the small notification icon in the taskbar is no longer there.

 

Installed yesterday and didn't even notice the RAM usage. It updated and did a quick scan and found nothing (much like AVG) and went back to idling hidden in the notification area. Restarted a couple times since. around 55MB RAM usage for me with no CPU, just like Windows Live Mail.

I'll keep it because it looks pretty nice and simple to use, and its one less thing that has to update itself with its own connection.

 

What's the big deal with RAM usage these days anyway? I mean if it manifests itself with detectable slowdowns then fine. But if the only way to tell is to bring up a system monitor and show that product A uses 48 MB while product B uses 64 MB...who cares? The average system today ships with 4 GB. My desktop has 8 GB. Who chooses an AV product based on +/- 10mb-20mb RAM usage?

 

I'm just reporting my ram usage because a few posts back someone asked about it. Like I said in my previous post ram usage for me is no issue as well. What bothers me the most about background processes is if they constantly use the cpu at idle or performs some task that noticeably degrades performance while gaming, and so far this has done neither and will stay installed and on until it does.

 

I'm curious how they measure the RAM usage, because antiviruses have always done a good job of using multiple processes to break up the chance of being compromised by a malicious program. Just my thought.

RAM Usage is irrelavent. What IS relevant is a benchmark. That way we can see the true impact of each anti-virus' resource footprint. Just resource spotting is a poor substitute and a failed understanding of a modern operating system's memory management.

 

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/10/symantec-sponsors-study-norton-beats-mse.ars

Norton 2010 vs. MSE, interesting results.

 

Geez, the study was commissioned by Symantec. I'm just shocked at the outcome.

Norton may well be better than MSE, but I wouldn't put any stock in a study financed by the company that just happens to emerge victorious. Yeah, I'm sure the lab wasn't influenced at all by who was paying their bill.

 

This is false, please check/correct your information.

Core updates to Security Essentials run through Windows Update, but signatures have their own update service that runs 3 times daily. Security Essentials also gets telemetry data from the Microsoft SpyNet database.

So far in my testing, I'd call it the best free AV available. Ideally, this is what I'd like to see pre-installed on OEM machines, but we all know that the money OEMs get from McAfee and Symantec for installing BS trial AV is too sweet for them to pass up for a truly reliable system like Security Essentials, which auto-updates and will not start asking for credit card information after 30 days. Most users don't even realize that they are no longer protected until their entire system gets hosed.

 

MSE never gets updated thrice a day for me at work (sometimes not even once per day). MSE also uses the same One care Engine, so I highly wouldn't consider it as the best free AV in the market. Avira free is the best free AV right now.
Also the MSE GUI is so simple. You can't launch an update or scan by right clicking the taskbar icon. Also the AV definitions are not updated frequently as the other AV's.
Norton 2009 and later products are one of the best AV's available if you are willing to pay.

 

MSE, if I'm not mistaken, actually uses the Microsoft Forefront engine, not the One Care Engine. Where did you get your info?

I should probably be more clear, Security Essentials can have AV definitions pushed out up to 3 times a day. It is up to Microsoft's discretion.

I still personally use Nod32 and I've heard great things about Norton 2009 (specifically 2009), but I still think Security Essentials is a big deal. I'm not discounting Avira, I just believe that Microsoft is making a positive statement by releasing their own free AV.

 

FWIW there was a definition update late on 10/3, and then another at 2:41 AM on 10/4. So that's two within the last 12-16 hours. Small sample I know, but clearly they're sending out updates with some level of frequency and it's not merely via Windows Update.

 

I will be giving MSE a whirl as soon as one of my Kaspersky or Norton subs expires. Oddly enough out of all the free apps available I feel the most confident with using Microsoft's version.

 

can someone tell me what MSE dosnt have that trend micro internet security does? cos if its basically the same i wont renew my trend sub and ill download MSE...

thanks

 

All MSE does is protect you from viruses/spyware. It is a basic antivirus while Trend Micro Internet Security protections from viruses/spyware and a lot more including Parental Controls, a Firewall, web protection, home network protection, charts and graphs, ect.

 

Erm MSE don't have all the above because
Microsoft have their own Parental Control, Firewall.
They expect you to use them, you are not really expecting them to reinvent the wheel do you?
In Windows 7 they have HomeGroup something to lock and protect the home network.
As for the graphs and chart you can have them, I am only interested in stuff that actually works.

 

A good router and AV software will also perform the same function as an IS suite.

 

The point was that MSE is basic antivirus/spyware protection while Trend Micro IS is a whole suite of security services.

 

but MSE along with windows firewall will do everything but parental controls(which i dont care for) and network security(which homegroup fixes)

is there anything else that trend has that MSE(and other windows features) wont?

thanks

 

Nothing important.

 

thanks for that i will convert after my liscence expires...


RIP Trend Micro

 

If you need family safety software, MS has it at http://download.live.com. I have not used it but heard it is great.