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    Microsoft Security Essentials vs Avast

    Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by mortalcombat, Jul 2, 2012.

  1. mortalcombat

    mortalcombat Notebook Consultant

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    I see a lot of people recommending Microsoft Security Essentials.

    I have Avast and I'm pretty satisfied (or at least I think)

    Which one is better?
    Is Avast good?
     
    mortalcombat, Jul 2, 2012
    #1
  2. booboo12

    booboo12 Notebook Prophet

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    I prefer MSE because of how well integrated it is: You really dont notice it's there.

    Windows 8 makes it even more moot, with MSE (they're renaming it to Windows Defender in Windows 8 IIRC) built right into the OS.

    Avast is good, I havent heard much bad about it.
     
    booboo12, Jul 2, 2012
    #2
  3. killkenny1

    killkenny1 Too weird to live, too rare to die.

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    If you satisfied with Avast, stay with it. I used Avast too before giving MSE a try. And I kept using it for the same reason as booboo12 mentioned.
     
    killkenny1, Jul 2, 2012
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  4. Baserk

    Baserk Notebook user

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    The answer to Which one is better is tricky.
    Do you mean the lightest on RAM, CPU, highest detection rate, removal score, lowest scan time,...?
    Avast is an excellent AV, it also offers more features than MSE like sandboxing.
    The build-in GMER rootkit scanner is a plus too.
    And there are quite a few advantages to MSE also of course, as already mentioned above.
    If Avast works for you, keep it.
     
    Baserk, Jul 2, 2012
    #4
  5. RocknStalk

    RocknStalk Newbie

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    AVAST has not only a good track record but an active community of users over at Wilders Security Forums, where there are times someone from their development group will chime in, if you're into that sort of thing.

    I personally like it because it's mass compatible on all the OS's I use, and has never required to be manually removed from the system using an uninstall tool.
     
    RocknStalk, Jul 6, 2012
    #5
  6. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

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    I've used both and like both AV's. I've been using MSE the last couple of years exclusively because it's convenient to grab from MS website. It's reliable and has a good track record with me for not generating false positives and catching the bad stuff.

    One thing I do like and miss with Avast is it will alert you to a site that's been comprised and stops you from executing anything further on that page.
     
    Rodster, Jul 6, 2012
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  7. xpigx

    xpigx Newbie

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    i always find it nice to have 2 av's on the same machine. make sure the autoscanning feature is disabled or they are scheduled at different times, sometimes they can conflict. I know Security Essentials and Malwarebytes gave me some problems when trying to run a scheduled job at the same time..
     
    xpigx, Jul 10, 2012
    #7
  8. Spelter

    Spelter Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've not seen anyone say this before - I've got MSE and as everyone says, it's quiet and runs smoothly with the system - would it be worthwhile downloading something like Avast as well?
     
    Spelter, Jul 17, 2012
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  9. Baserk

    Baserk Notebook user

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    Only install 2 AV's if you know exactly how to avoid possible conflicts (Often that's not even possible because you never know what future updates might bring).
    I'd advice to only use programs build to run alongside an AV, like Webroot Security Essentials or Malwarebytes'Antimalware or HitmanPro3.
    HMP3 free does a bootup scan, thoroughly checking the MBR also, MBAM can be used for (bi)weekly on-demand scans and removal of malware.
     
    Baserk, Jul 17, 2012
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  10. shalfurn

    shalfurn Newbie

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    I personally find Avast a little more configurable, and I enjoy its sandbox feature a lot. You might be put off by its advertising; there is hardly any at all however.
     
    shalfurn, Jul 20, 2012
    #10