Microsoft Security Essentials- whats the verdict?

[undeterred]

Has anyone tested this and what did you think of it?

http://www.microsoft.com/security_Essentials/

[DainBramaged]

1. They are so far behind the curve when it comes to system protection

it isn't funny, however, I JUST finished rebuilding a PC for work, so no better test than to install it on that and then fire viruses and Trojans at it from my collection of 'test' software.

AVG, and AVAST are still the two best free anti-virus products out there.

[Why Syzygy]

2. I like MS security products.

I would try that, but my RAM isn't high enough for the specs.

[DainBramaged]

3. Installed it WITH AVG and Malwarebytes, NO conflict so far

slow scanning, but I haven't tested it yet. I will have to go to some 'ahem' questionable website to test it.

[Statistical]

11. Strongly recommend NOT to use multiple anti-virus programs at the same time. n/t

[RoyGBiv]

4. A related question ...

Just how much security software is *genuinely* required to run a Windows machine these days?

I ask in all seriousness, with a note of exasperation. I watch several of you give out advice to people on anti-malware generally, and I am simply flabbergasted by how many different software packages some of you seem to use at the same time.

My Windows partition, which I boot probably once a week or so, has Comodo firewall and Avast. I use Firefox with NoScript and AdBlocker for web browsing. I run Spyware S&D once in awhile (I mean, like, four times a year, maybe), and it occasionally finds tracking cookies and the like. I use CCleaner to clean it up of garbage if/when I need to.

I installed Windows on that hard drive about 5 years ago, and to this day it's never had a virus or trojan or anything particularly wrong with it.

Granted, this is not a heavy use installation, but when it is being used, I don't use it any differently than my main system.

[DainBramaged]

5. I spend a LOT of time testing websites and visiting sites

that are work related. And there are SO MANY threats out there it is critical that I be able to defeat any of them so that when I run into one at work, downtime and MY time is minimized. We are PC intensive at work, and we MUST be able to access GM software through the Internet, so it is essential to monitor what people are doing and to protect us from malware, porn, game downloads, etc. that would threaten the network.

[RoyGBiv]

6. I understand your situation ...

I meant that more from a "computer I have at home" situation.

The server I set up had a crapload more security attached to it than what's on my personal machine, for instance.

[hobbit709]

7. All I use is

AVG, Spybot S&D and Malwarebytes. I don't have any problems.
Of course I refuse to use Internet ExploDer and Outhouse Distress so that eliminates the majority of the problems right there.

[Why Syzygy]

8. I don't.

I haven't had resident virus protection since I reinstalled the system in June/July. A few days ago I installed AVG because I wanted to install a download I wasn't sure of. And I noticed something unusual when I clicked to download. I updated the definitions and ran a complete scan. All clean. I eventually shut down AVG; but I'm going to leave it installed so I can scan individual files, and perhaps run a routine scan now and then. Malwarebytes hasn't picked up anything on my machine in ages. I keep Windows updated. Most likely the biggest vulnerabilities come from outdated software.

[hobbit709]

9. 90% of the infected computers I see

have ALL the updates. The problem is that humans haven't been updated.
Just about every time, the customer tells me they clicked on something and that is when the problem started.

I hit the cracker sites on a regular basis and have never been infected-I have had AVG flash warnings a few times and I immediately close my browser and run full scans with all my security software.

[RoyGBiv]

10. This is the correct answer ...

We need a Hooman 2.0 upgrade, one that doesn't reflexively click "OK" whenever it is presented with a dialog box.