Filed under: Security, Utilities, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware, Windows x64
Microsoft Security Essentials rated best free antivirus for Windows
by Lee Mathews Oct 31st 2009 at 9:00AM
Thousands of downloads. Countless positive reviews on software blogs around the Internet. It's been quite a ride so far for Microsoft Security Essentials.
In AV Comparative's most recent report on malware removal, MSE was the only free antivirus rated Advanced+. That ranking placed it alongside big names like Norton, Kaspersky, and F-Secure. Security Essentials also beat out technician favorite ESET, which managed only an Advanced rating.
It's also worth noting that only three antivirus apps - Norton 2010, eScan, and Security Essentials - scored marks of good or better in removal of malware and removal of leftovers. So not only has MSE beaten free competitors like AVG (version 8.5 tested, not 9.0), Avira, and Avast, it also posted test scores equal to or better than a dozen antivirus programs you'd have to pay for.
Well done, Microsoft!
[via Ars Technica]
So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do.
Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game.
The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Malteserr said 9:26AM on 10-31-2009
I've been using this for a while and I have to admit: I kind of expected the good review. It's an extremely good Antivirus and tbh I'd rather use it on laptops and less powerful systems than AVG or Norton.
Reply
alarmpro said 12:31PM on 10-31-2009
I tried it on a fast machine (2.6 GHz Dual-Core) and it ate up the CPU. I would imagine putting it on an older machine would effectively render the machine un-usable.
polobunny said 3:24PM on 10-31-2009
Sorry, post unrelated to who I am answering to, but I think this is seriously important.
Way to mess it up Lee. Mess it up REALLY bad, enough to misinform all your readers that don't have a keen enough eye.
MSE doesn't get the "best free antivirus for Windows" title. Not even Ars claims that. Know why?
THIS IS A FREAKING MALWARE REMOVAL TEST LEE!!!
It's about malware removal. We're talking adware and the likes here, not viruses. What AV-Comparatives tested was in fact the anti-malware portion of every software on their list, not their antivirus portion. MSE might get an Advanced+ note in this round, it doesn't mean it will get such a note in virus detection. Or even malware detection, as they have picked very specific test files without disclaiming their full name. They were just testing the removal of some, remember?
The way you wrote it you are implying that MSE was crowned king of free antivirus by AV-Comparatives. This is terribly erroneous and far from truth. Everyone reading your article is led to believe MSE is the best thing since sliced bread and while it is great, it's not that. :/
I'm sorry for the cold, expressive reply, but it's horrible to misinform people whether that was the point or not.
Lee Mathews said 3:25PM on 10-31-2009
PB, I take it you don't agree with this definition of "malware" then?
"Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware, crimeware and other malicious and unwanted software."
As a technician, I use "malware" to refer to the whole category now, since "viruses" really aren't the bulk of the problem these days.
What do other techs and admins think?
polobunny said 4:51PM on 10-31-2009
I absolutely agree with your definition of malware, virus are only one of the few bad software attacking your computer.
However, your title and half of your article clearly states that AV-Comparatives has rated MSE the best free antivirus for Windows.
This is not the case whether you use your definition of malware or the more widely accepted definition referring to "adware", the later definition being used by AV-Comparatives themselves. If you look at the test samples you will see none of those are actual virus as they are not meant to harm the computer (that's left open to discussion... but you get the gist of it.)
If MSE was the best rated free something, it would be the best rated free anti-malware/adware. Not antivirus, as once again those tests show absolutely NO virus samples. Would you say a certain computer was the best computer if it was K6-2 era but it had the biggest, most efficient power supply you've ever seen? It's a silly example, but it's exactly what this article is leading readers to believe.
Calling MSE the best rated free anti-malware/adware would be erroneous too. Those tests show only removal of a few select samples. Not detection or pro-active protection. Ars was careful in not over hyping MSE, referring to the products as security products and only presenting the facts, you have twisted them. :S
Frankly the article appears to me as a lot of sensationalism (whether or not that was wanted) and it conveys false information in doing so. That's a double no-no. It's nothing I have seen previously from your articles which really makes me wonder if you haven't suddenly turned in a fanboy or it's a honest mistake.
Cedric said 9:29AM on 10-31-2009
Too bad they didn't test Comodo which is known to be the best free antivirus.
Reply
Jordan said 9:57AM on 10-31-2009
Doesn't really matter much anymore, MSE is the best now
master811 said 10:15AM on 10-31-2009
Erm you have to be kidding right? Comodo may have one of the best firewalls around, but their AV tech still leaves MUCH to be desired, its a long way from being competitive with the ones in this test.
lee.mathews said 10:20AM on 10-31-2009
Comodo isn't in the same league yet. Check this post:
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/24/six-free-antivirus-programs-made-for-your-windows-7-system/
Comodo had a 74% detection rate - I wouldn't touch any antivirus that misses 1 in 4 malware objects.
DA623 said 9:35AM on 10-31-2009
However I predict this: It will be not that good in afew months because all the people writing these viruses will target this software and do what they can to disable it, hijack it, etc. Its the same fate McAfee and Norton have, except since this will be more widely used, it might get worse... So MS better do what they can to make sure this stays secure.
But atleast MS has a very good solution here to fight against the biggest issue with Windows security.
Reply
Cedric said 10:29AM on 10-31-2009
Comodo is the best antivirus in this test thanks to his pro-active protection. Even better than Kaspersky
http://www.matousec.com/projects/proactive-security-challenge/results.php
Reply
blaszta said 11:06AM on 10-31-2009
The test is based on SSTS:
Security Software Testing Suite (SSTS) is a set of tools used for testing Windows security software that implement application-based security – i.e. most of the Internet security suites, HIPS, personal firewalls, behavior blockers etc. SSTS is based on the idea of independent programs that attempt to bypass various features of the security software.
Good score in this test doesn't mean that the product is good at detecting and removal of viruses and malwares.
laolitan said 11:31AM on 10-31-2009
Matousec is testing firewalls not AV
master811 said 11:40AM on 10-31-2009
Nope that test is for firewalls and yes Comodo is best for that, but has nothing to do with AV detection.
Mod said 12:13PM on 10-31-2009
The test is about firewalls, NOT AV programs.
last_man1 said 7:47PM on 10-31-2009
Hey "guy/gal " do yourself and "your computer" a favor...uninstall Comodo everything and then go over here to www.scanwith.com look for "Avast beta 5"..yes it's still being tested but it's way ahead of '' any product" by Comodo.
A benefit of which is you get too use the latest flavor for free while it's in beta, oh and it took about 5 version releases before I would even use their beta myself ( It's ready now ....oh is it ever) Now let's see if it stays free like Avast said "Home Version" would.
Wait till you try to get rid of that wacky "firewall" you'll have to download a CMD (comand line file) and execute it to clean your machine of it "which is bad software code creating. I know this because I used too trust Comodo also back in the day. Till I found out all the "crap you had to go through" to get rid of just their firewall. Windows firewall is Ok and all you really need XP SP 3 Vista's is better and Windows 7 is even better most don't like the fact that there is no "out bound " control but this can be configured with "rules" under advanced. I'm not going to tell you you have to use something else it's your computer "your putting yourself at risk." I don't know where you surf...and really don't care.
But don't get in a "mine is bigger" match with these "cats" it's not a crime to not know the only crime is once you find out....not being willing to address the issue(s). I wish you happy computing anyway. I usually wouldn't take the time to write a comment to someone...but if I can save one computer from having to be "recovered after a malware attack" . (Or restored from DVD)
I've done my "deed" for the day. Now you do what you will "Guy/Gal " but don't say no one "warned you". May you enjoy your day. And remember "we're not here to pick on anyone" we all are just trying to keep everyone who reads this blog informed.
Patrick #2 said 10:46AM on 10-31-2009
Well done? It would be good if it was a part of the OS and well done if not needed.
Reply
Eric D. said 10:54AM on 10-31-2009
If it was part of the OS then Microsoft would just face more antitrust lawsuits from whiny morons. Also, it would only not be needed if people didn't write viruses attacking the most common OS in the world. You can't cause mass chaos by targeting Mac & Linux system when they have so little market share for the mainstream user.
McMek said 10:54AM on 10-31-2009
When I first found out about MSE recommended by downloadsquad and lifehacker, I immediately ditched the Avast and installed MSE on 3 machines.
One machine is a 4 year notebook the other one is 5 year old AMD 2600+ the third one is a Windows 7 RC with 8GB RAM, AMD Phenom 9950.
After 10 days all three machines started to slown down. The first two machines slowed down to almost no responsivnest and long startups, the third one started working very slow.
I uninstalled MSE and installed back the Avast on all three machines and they started working as thay should.
I am wondering what happened!!
Reply
Mysterius said 5:57PM on 10-31-2009
Bad luck? MSE has been very light on resources on all the machines *I've* installed it on, so I have no idea what the issue you had was. Hope you have better luck in the future.