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AV-Test downgrades Microsoft Security Essentials
The Register reports Microsoft's free Security Essentials anti-virus software has lost its seal of approval from AV-TEST. The German test lab conducts bi-monthly tests and claims Security Essentials lost its rating because it now has a zero-day detection rate of only 64 percent, well below the industry average of 89 percent.
Security Essentials has lost AV-TEST’s seal before, with its September 2010 test failing to meet the lab’s criteria. It is the only one of 24 AV products for Windows 7 without the certification. Four products missed out for Windows Vista and two for Windows XP. Windows 8 AV tools are yet to go under the microscope and Microsoft is absent from AV-TEST's list of vendors thanks to the new OS' integrated protection software. While tests like these have no official standing, a look at AV-TEST’s longitudinal analysis of Security Essentials show it has consistently struggled to perform well in its malware detection and blocking tests.
russ1
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Master Guru
Posts: 160
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#4469641 Posted on: 12/03/2012 10:24 AM
I have used MSE for years. Looking at that report, i can't believe the dismal protection it gives. Think i will be looking around for a new AV, any good suggestions guys?
I have used MSE for years. Looking at that report, i can't believe the dismal protection it gives. Think i will be looking around for a new AV, any good suggestions guys?
Ven0m
Maha Guru
Posts: 1037
Joined: 2005-08-12
Maha Guru
Posts: 1037
Joined: 2005-08-12
#4469649 Posted on: 12/03/2012 10:37 AM
Avast is free and it got really good scores. It used to be really poor, but it's getting better and better. However I'd rather go for some quality paid service. They're not that expensive, and it's an important issue. So I'm looking for more recommendations.
I have used MSE for years. Looking at that report, i can't believe the dismal protection it gives. Think i will be looking around for a new AV, any good suggestions guys?
Avast is free and it got really good scores. It used to be really poor, but it's getting better and better. However I'd rather go for some quality paid service. They're not that expensive, and it's an important issue. So I'm looking for more recommendations.
PhazeDelta1
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Joined: 2010-09-12
Ancient Guru
Posts: 9517
Joined: 2010-09-12
#4469650 Posted on: 12/03/2012 10:38 AM
Not really surprised by this.
Not really surprised by this.
Xendance
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Posts: 5299
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Ancient Guru
Posts: 5299
Joined: 2005-07-19
#4469653 Posted on: 12/03/2012 10:47 AM
...a test for "zero day exploits"? Wat. How can they have a list of zero day exploits, that makes no sense. And even if they did, it makes sense that the most popular anti virus software (MSE) doesn't detect them with heuristics since most of the viruses are specifically designed to not be detected by it. Also I don't think MS wants to risk getting false positives.
That test is complete nonsense if you ask me.
...a test for "zero day exploits"? Wat. How can they have a list of zero day exploits, that makes no sense. And even if they did, it makes sense that the most popular anti virus software (MSE) doesn't detect them with heuristics since most of the viruses are specifically designed to not be detected by it. Also I don't think MS wants to risk getting false positives.
That test is complete nonsense if you ask me.
MasterBash
Master Guru
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Master Guru
Posts: 395
Joined: 2003-07-11
#4469710 Posted on: 12/03/2012 12:46 PM
Useless report to me... lol. zero day? Really?
Useless report to me... lol. zero day? Really?
Speed Weed
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Master Guru
Posts: 675
Joined: 2011-12-04
#4469718 Posted on: 12/03/2012 01:03 PM
Must admit to using MSE, and have done for a while.
On the other hand, if any of you aren't the slightest bit paranoid about any dodgy-looking email which arrives at your addie and just bin it, instead of opening it, then even some of the hard-core av's will be hard pressed to protect your rig.
Virus designers aren't just a bunch of mischief-making schoolkids these days.
They really do mean business.
Must admit to using MSE, and have done for a while.
On the other hand, if any of you aren't the slightest bit paranoid about any dodgy-looking email which arrives at your addie and just bin it, instead of opening it, then even some of the hard-core av's will be hard pressed to protect your rig.
Virus designers aren't just a bunch of mischief-making schoolkids these days.
They really do mean business.
zipper
Master Guru
Posts: 470
Joined: 2005-03-14
Master Guru
Posts: 470
Joined: 2005-03-14
#4469722 Posted on: 12/03/2012 01:10 PM
F-Secure bought from Germany, about 25 e per year, been happy with it for several years.
F-Secure bought from Germany, about 25 e per year, been happy with it for several years.
Ghosty
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Maha Guru
Posts: 1445
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#4469725 Posted on: 12/03/2012 01:14 PM
Never been a fan of MSE myself. I've been using Avira for a couple of years now, much better than most other AV's IMO.
Never been a fan of MSE myself. I've been using Avira for a couple of years now, much better than most other AV's IMO.
Ven0m
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#4469727 Posted on: 12/03/2012 01:15 PM
...a test for "zero day exploits"? Wat. How can they have a list of zero day exploits, that makes no sense. And even if they did, it makes sense that the most popular anti virus software (MSE) doesn't detect them with heuristics since most of the viruses are specifically designed to not be detected by it. Also I don't think MS wants to risk getting false positives.
That test is complete nonsense if you ask me.
It's not a nonsense - you keep VM images of systems with antivirus and updates for specific days and then test them against some malware that was released on the same day as the update, or later. It's a good test to check if your antivirus can work against 0-days.
...a test for "zero day exploits"? Wat. How can they have a list of zero day exploits, that makes no sense. And even if they did, it makes sense that the most popular anti virus software (MSE) doesn't detect them with heuristics since most of the viruses are specifically designed to not be detected by it. Also I don't think MS wants to risk getting false positives.
That test is complete nonsense if you ask me.
It's not a nonsense - you keep VM images of systems with antivirus and updates for specific days and then test them against some malware that was released on the same day as the update, or later. It's a good test to check if your antivirus can work against 0-days.
Phragmeister
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Maha Guru
Posts: 1170
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#4469881 Posted on: 12/03/2012 04:07 PM
Router (hardware) firewall + Windows Firewall + Malwarebytes. Haven't had a single issue in the last 4/5+ years
Common sense helps a bit, too.
Router (hardware) firewall + Windows Firewall + Malwarebytes. Haven't had a single issue in the last 4/5+ years
Common sense helps a bit, too.
-Tj-
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Maha Guru
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#4469892 Posted on: 12/03/2012 04:29 PM
Nod32 4/5 security is ok for me, no issues for years, firewall is good too
Kaspersky can be great, but imo to intrusive.. It can block gpu/sound drivers and sometimes lags the system, i dont know about latest 2011-2013, but i know 2010 wasnt good.
Nod32 4/5 security is ok for me, no issues for years, firewall is good too
Kaspersky can be great, but imo to intrusive.. It can block gpu/sound drivers and sometimes lags the system, i dont know about latest 2011-2013, but i know 2010 wasnt good.
nick0323
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#4469932 Posted on: 12/03/2012 05:23 PM
i've used Kaspersky Anti-Virus since 2008 and I've had very few issues. I'm currently using 2013. I tried Internet Security but it's just too damn intrusive.
KAV 2013, router, Windows Firewall and a bit of common sense.
Never had any issues with KAV trying to block driver installs etc.
i've used Kaspersky Anti-Virus since 2008 and I've had very few issues. I'm currently using 2013. I tried Internet Security but it's just too damn intrusive.
KAV 2013, router, Windows Firewall and a bit of common sense.
Never had any issues with KAV trying to block driver installs etc.
Veteran
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#4469941 Posted on: 12/03/2012 05:32 PM
Been using Bitdefender+Malwarebytes+Winpatrol for years.
Not surprised at the results about MSE as i did alot of my own research into Internet security Years ago and said a good while back that MSe has poor signature detection along Avast, AVG and Eset Security (Nod32 is the worst from my experience).
I also used to use my own hardware based proxies linked up in my garage etc.
Been using Bitdefender+Malwarebytes+Winpatrol for years.
Not surprised at the results about MSE as i did alot of my own research into Internet security Years ago and said a good while back that MSe has poor signature detection along Avast, AVG and Eset Security (Nod32 is the worst from my experience).
I also used to use my own hardware based proxies linked up in my garage etc.
HonoredShadow
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Posts: 2408
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#4469947 Posted on: 12/03/2012 05:36 PM
Why Bitdefender Year?
I might go with something else but I don't want anything that takes up loads of memory and gets in the way. A 'game' mode is also a nice touch.
Tell ya what else I don't like. The other junk that comes with them. I don't mean like additional programs like PC fix programs and browser bars. I mean things like AVG and its link scanning bits that take over your system and seem to not be needed etc, etc...
I'm seriously thinking of not having a virus scanner and just having Malware Bytes. Just be careful instead.
Why Bitdefender Year?
I might go with something else but I don't want anything that takes up loads of memory and gets in the way. A 'game' mode is also a nice touch.
Tell ya what else I don't like. The other junk that comes with them. I don't mean like additional programs like PC fix programs and browser bars. I mean things like AVG and its link scanning bits that take over your system and seem to not be needed etc, etc...
I'm seriously thinking of not having a virus scanner and just having Malware Bytes. Just be careful instead.
Click here to post a comment for this news story on the message forum.
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Direct link to the test results: http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home-user/windows-7/sepoct-2012/
MSE failed bad, really bad. ESET NOD32, which I used to have doesn't look too appealing.
Has any of you BitDefender and can recommend it?
Do you know if you can download & install Windows 8 version if you bought the regular license?
Or maybe I should get F-Secure... Have you guy any recommendations / warnings regarding AV products with 6.0 protection rating?