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Uh-oh. Microsoft’s Security Essentials, one of the better pieces of free anti-virus software lying around, has had its virus-protecting abilites put to the test, and is found sorely wanting. Forget being the ‘best’ piece of software on the market, Microsoft can’t even get a ‘pass’ from the teacher.
The AV-Test institute, which tests anti-virus software for various things like, for example, the capability to deal with viruses, has given Microsoft a pretty harsh ‘FAIL’ on its latest piece of homework. Specifically, Microsoft’s freeware baby failed to protect against 0-day malware attacks, scoring a lowly 71 per cent, versus the industry average of 92 per cent.
Like any mature student who’s just failed an exam, Microsoft’s done the sensible thing and gone crying to the press, complaining that a “rigorous review of the results” has shown that the security flaws would only impact “0.0033 per cent” of its users. It then went on to trash the AV-TEST institute, saying that it’s “difficult for independent antimalware testing organisations to devise tests that are consistent with the real-world conditions”. Sounds like a little bit of wounded pride to me. [Microsoft via The Verge]
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On the plus side it doesn’t make your computer grind to a halt so its not all bad.
Only piece of anti-virus I’ve used for years and never had a problem.
I never trust ANY antivirus, give it 6months to a year and I flash back to factory and reinstall.
If you’re that worried, why not create VM’s and only use them to access the web – probably save yourself a ton of time in the long run.
I’m not worried, and I might just do that when I get a new PC but at 7 years old it might slow down the one I’ve got a bit too much.
Same here. And my pc hasn’t slowed down to a snails pace either like it does with Kaspersky, AVG or Macafee. Haven’t tried Norton, but I thing everyone knows how great that piece of shitware is.
Couldn’t agree more. And like Julian says, never had a problem and I hate the way other security programs act like knuckle grinding security guards popping up all the time with inane warnings and telling you about how they used to be in the SAS.
but its free.. so you cant moan that much, its not like you gave them money.. you could pay for a better scanner after all..
But the ones you pay for are no better. Best to use the most effective free one!
Shocker! An antimalware that’s not perfect!
Seriously, I’ve used it for years, and combined with a sensible PC usage policy (trust nowt), I’ve had no problems – it’s detected what it’s needed to.
actually this made me thinks.. What is everyone’s best free software?
(excluding stuff you may have pirated!!)
mine i think is “Advance Renamer” great little tool..
Anything from the Adobe CS2 range…. oops.
that “0.0033 per cent” means 3300 users per miliion installs, given the number of windows installs, this is a big problem.
yer.. but 0.0030% are MS employees..
MSSE isn’t standard with Windows though, in fact I don’t know how much it is installed.
It is standard with Win8 (Or a variant thereof)
Yeah it is, although I don’t know anyone IRL apart from me and my brother who have it installed XD. I think we might be weird though.
I know quite a few people, and your point is still invalid, surely? You said it isn’t standard, when it is…
It is standard in the new version, but I was under the impression it’s not massively popular atm. Most of the people I know have heard the bad press or seen me use it and are avoiding it on purpose. But yeah, the first comment made it sound like it was standard on ALL versions of Windows.
I recommend it to everyone, since it’s amazing.
Well, my parents really struggle with it, and I have recommended it to lots of people my age, but a lot of people just seem to hate to have to learn how to use lots of new stuff.
Wait, what? You don’t have to learn to do anything, I haven’t received a single notification from MSE once in my life. Its update schedules run side-by-side with Windows Update, so you don’t ever get notified.
Oh, no I thought you were talking about Windows 8 when you said you recommend it to everyone XD. But yes I agree MSSE is fantastic, mainly because AVs popping up willy nilly is the bane of my life. And in the 4 years I’ve had it installed I haven’t had any trouble with malware (although that may also be down to savvy internet use).
anyone who has actually used norton knows nowadays its pretty good piece of kit. a happy medium between the security of kaspersky and the lightness of trend micro.
Go to bed, Norton marketer. It’s still as shit as ever and everyone knows that.
based on what?
Based on the fact that my dad still installs it on his computer every year and it slows it down like crazy.
So based on experience.
cant really make generalisations like that to all computers mate. tbh i use trend micro on the family computer and norton on mine (get them both for free) never had a problem.
I was in the 0.0033 per cent. Anyone suggest a good light free AV other than MSE?
You must be one of those who keep torrenting 0-day popular warez/music/movies
Microsoft SE is a good piece of kit, companies (pick any) who review many AV software will lean on one to promote (whoever is sponsoring or paying more for advertising) so not surprised at all! You can find many reviews on the net and many will have different results…
Also no AV can claim they are best! There will be good days, and there will be bad like weather… Depending on where the wind blows from… 1penny..
Aw man this isn’t going to help me in the argument against my parents regarding the superiority of MSE over McAfee…