Microsoft Security Essentials 4.4.304.0 with Windows Firewall - REVIEW

[Malware Security]

See Full Review at http://msecurity.wix.com/malwaresecurity

 

[kjdemuth]

Shocking! Oddly enough this is why some AV tests use it as a low benchmark.

 

[Littlebits]

Microsoft Security Essentials with Windows Firewall is intended to be used with UAC and SmartScreen along with some common sense.
It will fully protect users who want to be protected and learn how to use UAC and SmartScreen.

According to some leaked info, Windows 9 may have Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, UAC and SmartScreen in one package where it will all have to be tested together, instead of just single components tested. I'm hoping they will add all of the security features together in one GUI.

Microsoft Security Essentials with Windows Firewall used without utilizing UAC and SmartScreen is weak.
Any security setup used without common sense and reckless behavior will get you infected.

Thanks.

 

[Amiga500]

If you are the type of internet user that goes to every dark corner of the web and downloads every piece of crap they come across then no security product will save you.

for the average safe user who has a brain between their ears,MSE and windows firewall is adequate protection.

 

[Exterminator]

I agree MSE,Windows Firewall,UAC & Smart Screen are quite adequate.If you are a Happy Clicker then use Sandboxie when you browse and play in the sandbox.

 

[illumination]

Any security setup used without common sense and reckless behavior will get you infected.

Thanks.

When is the last time you fired up shadow defender, then opened a browser in a sandbox, and went click happy?
I do it on purpose and have yet to get infected

 

[Ink]

As I understand, you review products based on a number of aspects, a set number of challenges so to speak, in which they must pass to attain a positive score.

Regarding Behaviour Monitoring (Non-interactive) -
I cannot say for MSE, but in WD the Behaviour Monitor is enabled by default in Windows 8.1, although there are no visible settings from the GUI. However, considering the similarities between the two, I'd say it would apply to MSE too.

Regarding Windows Firewall -
Multiple Services will use the same svchost.exe process, so remember to check the PID in Task Manager and then exclude the usage amount. (See example below). Despite that, RAM usage of this component in Windows is negligible.

Overall, I've been using Windows Defender (Windows 8/8.1) for the past 2 years, which is essentially identical to MSE and haven't come across a threat that has bypassed it's protection. So while I do utilise UAC and SmartScreen, even without them (ie. Vista, 7), MSE/WD is still a suitable AV that I would rate from a 'Good 3 stars' or above.

@illumination , you'd have to venture outside the safe zone and into to the realms of software piracy; keygens and cracks.

 

[illumination]

@illumination , you'd have to venture outside the safe zone and into to the realms of software piracy; keygens and cracks.

I dont do piracy,keygens, and cracks, but have been known to play with URL's on MDL in just that manor "not exactly a safe zone" lol..

 

[Ink]

True, but with keygens/cracks you're not sure what you're going to find, because at least with MDL they are categorised.

 

[illumination]

True, but with keygens/cracks you're not sure what you're going to find, because at least with MDL they are categorised.

This is true. I was just pointing out, there are ways to be "click happy" and remain pretty safe You would be hard pressed running your browser in a sandbox, and having your whole drive virtualized, to infect yourself, one would have to work really hard at it..
I literally have thrown tons of malicious URL's at a set up like this, without any of them getting through..

 

[Ink]

@illumination Is this with Microsoft Security Essentials / Windows Defender, and which browser?

 

[illumination]

@illumination Is this with Microsoft Security Essentials / Windows Defender, and which browser?

On my config, i have CIS as my security. I have literally sandboxed CD, while having shadow defender in shadow mode, and played with malware. Im sure there are others that have done the same..

All though this should not matter, if you have your browser in a sandbox, and your drive in another one, you would be pressed to get infected..

This test was about a year ago, now imagine this combined with shadow defender,and all the other components enabled, on windows 8.
As you can see, he has everything disabled but the sandbox.


I do realize this is a bit off topic, but was responding to the statement, then yours

 

[usmangujjar]

MSE & WD with UAC great for person who have some knowledge ,