What do you think about MS Security Essentials?
Hi; Since installing Windows 7 Ultimate in Oct, I had been using Norton Internet Security 2010. But I had a big problem. I found that I could not run iTunes 9. So, I re-installed Windows and then installed iTunes before installing any antivirus/security app, and found that iTunes runs fine. I think that it was Norton Internet Security that was keeping iTunes from running, even though I kept it turned off during the install, and first attempt to run iTunes. Since the re-install, I have been using Microsoft Security Essentials. I have not re-installed any other security application. So, what do you think about the MS Security Essentials? Is it sufficient to protect my computer? How does it compare to Norton Internet Security 2010? From what I have read, and now experience with MS SE, it doesn't have a large footprint that a lot of the other security apps have, so my system seems to run more smoothly. Also, I was having trouble running some apps (specifically a patch program for Auran Trainz simulator 2009 and 2010). I am also getting into development, and will be running a lot of C++ code on my machine. It seems that Norton has a feature called SONAR, which can detect virus-like code and stop it before it does any damage, however this feature is what stopped my Trainz patcher from running, and would probably stop some of my own C++ code from running (especially console apps). Your thoughts? Thanks FW
December 16th, 2009 3:51am

I would definitely recommend it to anyone for home use. I have been using it at home since release and i have tried running a full Mcafee anti-virus scan twice during my use of Security Essentials just to see that it hasn't missed anything. It didn't find anything and the low memmory usage is another big plus so i am keeping with security essentials.
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December 16th, 2009 10:47pm

I've used at home without problems. I recommend it. It is a good free alternative.Mark Morowczynski|MCT| MCSE 2003:Messaging, Security|MCITP:ES, SA,EA|MCTS:Windows Mobile Admin|Security+|http://almostdailytech.com
December 17th, 2009 12:36am

Thanks. I like it as well. Nice to know you can actually get something worthwhile for free! FW
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December 17th, 2009 7:23am

I've used at home without problems. I recommend it. It is a good free alternative. Mark Morowczynski|MCT| MCSE 2003:Messaging, Security|MCITP:ES, SA,EA|MCTS:Windows Mobile Admin|Security+|http://almostdailytech.com It's good but the update package is so bigMicrosoft Certified System Engineer 2003
December 17th, 2009 8:23pm

I think its the best free antivirus out there without annoying ads and compatibility issues..
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December 19th, 2009 2:13pm

I Use I-tunes 9 along with Norton internet Security 2010 without any probs. mssecurity essentials offers good basic protection but no advanced protection that norton offers. its not as good as norton and also not so bad. if u need higher security just switch bach to NIS 2010. there are no compatibility issues between norton IS 2010 and itunes.
December 21st, 2009 12:12pm

I would also recommend it.Really good Freeware, fast and safe.But not as a stand-alone anti-virus program.Regards
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December 21st, 2009 1:39pm

Anything is better than nothing. However, you really cannot beat Norton 2010 for home security.The idea is to provide "Defense in depth" for your computer. Applying 2 to 3 different strategies to keep you computer safe.I haven't had any problem with Norton 2010 with I-tunes. There are several problems why you may have... from set up, to registry and disk problems, to securing your computer too much! If you completely turned off Norton and still had the problem, I tend to lean towards some sort of corruption in the operating system somewhere. Especially if you attempted to uninstall Norton and still had the problem.I would give 2010 another chance on a clean install... especially if you plan on developing in the future. Since you are apt to download anything from libraries, to codes to oddball programs to dibble with and learn from... you will want all the protection you can get.
December 21st, 2009 6:56pm

I deployed MS Security Essentials as soon as it was released and I have found it to be fine. Testing shows it can see the most common malware fine. It also seems to be quiet which is also attractive from a corporate point of view. Its good for XP and up and I strongly suggest installing it as not having and security tools is asking for trouble. I have also used AVG Free and its also fine if you do not mind being pester to buy the enhanced version. Its also stable and works with XP and up. I do not like Symantec's software as in very intrusive in places that are unwanted. In effect its bloatitus at its worse.Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe Server: ASRock P4-2GHz, 1.5 GB RAM, Linux Server, need IDE/SATA disks for my chess site Workstation: Asus M2NBP-VM CSM, Athlon64 X2 4200+ 65W CPU, 2GB RAM, NVIDIA 8600GT, 320GB + 160G backup, Windows 7 Ultimate x64.
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December 22nd, 2009 12:32am

Anything is better than nothing. However, you really cannot beat Norton 2010 for home security. The idea is to provide "Defense in depth" for your computer. Applying 2 to 3 different strategies to keep you computer safe. I haven't had any problem with Norton 2010 with I-tunes. There are several problems why you may have... from set up, to registry and disk problems, to securing your computer too much! If you completely turned off Norton and still had the problem, I tend to lean towards some sort of corruption in the operating system somewhere. Especially if you attempted to uninstall Norton and still had the problem. I would give 2010 another chance on a clean install... especially if you plan on developing in the future. Since you are apt to download anything from libraries, to codes to oddball programs to dibble with and learn from... you will want all the protection you can get. I'll try re-installing NIS 2010, now that iTunes 9 is up and running. But before I do that, I'll create a system image! That's probably the thing I love most about Windows 7. The ability to create fast, complete system images. I have restored from them several times, and everything is perfect. Thanks for your suggestions. FW
December 23rd, 2009 2:49pm

After re-installing Norton Internet Security 2010, along with MS Security Essentials, I noticed a slowdown on my system. So, I decided to disable NIS auto-protect, keeping MS SE to that task, and will just run NIS scan about once per week. MS doesn't slow the system down like Norton does. FW
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December 26th, 2009 5:29pm

Get rid of Norton, its redundant with MS Security Essentials installed.Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe Server: ASRock P4-2GHz, 1.5 GB RAM, Linux Server, need IDE/SATA disks for my chess site Workstation: Asus M2NBP-VM CSM, Athlon64 X2 4200+ 65W CPU, 2GB RAM, NVIDIA 8600GT, 320GB + 160G backup, Windows 7 Ultimate x64.
December 26th, 2009 7:50pm

Microsoft Security Essentials seems to work pretty well. Pro's: Free Doesn't use up a whole lot of resources It tends to work It's simple Cons: Scanning, and applying actions isn't particularly fast
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December 27th, 2009 5:31pm

Using two antivirus products on the same computer can result in system instability. It will definitely bring your system to a crawl. Most modern AV scanners work in real time. This means that every time your recieve an email or open a file the scanner must process the file before you can access it. If you have ever tried opening a file already in use you realize the problems this can cause. The real idea of defense in depth is to use a variety of security methods (not two competing products that implement the same method of protection). For instance a hardware firewall to defend the edge, a software firewall on your computers, gateway threat scanning to block threats before they enter your network, host based antivirus in case a threat gets past the edge, network and host based intrusion dectection/prevention (IDS/IPS) that can identify and respond to attack patterns, honey pot systems to learn about emerging threats, a dmz to segregate exposed servers, network/email/disk encryption, you get the idea.
January 29th, 2010 7:30pm

I have a link for the Microsoft Securities Essentials on my front page, I encourage world+dog to use it. I am amazed at how many still do not use any security software.Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe RaidMax Smilodon, 680W, Asus M2NBP-VM CSM AMD X2 4200+, 2GB DDR2-800, x600, more details on my site, need a video card for the Windows machine, the 8600 GT fried
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January 31st, 2010 7:27am

my opinion is that it is better than any other scan on the market (norton,mcafee etc.) because it is OS product supported.
November 25th, 2010 5:23pm

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