Windows 7 Security - MSE ?

im upgrading a computer from vista to 7

 

i have always used AVG in the past for over 5 years and fairly satisfied with it,

 

when i upgrade should i stick with AVG or just go with MSE ?

 

how effective is MSE ?

MSE is not effective against zero-day malware and is not effective against Ransomware, but the same applies for AVG (I think).

The question is how much protection you need.

 

If you are a user that likes to click on every hyperlink (URL) you see, then I recommend a paid antivirus like ESET NOD32 or Emsisoft Anti-Malware.

If you are not such a user, then free antivirus is good enough for you.

I personally would choose for MSE.

I still use Windows 7 and would not choose either AVG or MSE for a variety of reasons.

mikey11 you have been around here long enough to know that I generally recommend ESET NOD32 Anti-Virus or Emsisoft Anti-Malware if choosing a paid for program as they are effective but leave a small footprint...meaning they are not intrusive and do not utilize a lot of system resources which slow down performance. Kaspersky Anti-virus is also a good choice for the same reason. If you don't want to pay, then I would recommend either Sophos Home Free Antivirus or Bitdefender Anti-virus Free Edition.

ESET and Emsisoft Anti-Malware also have the added advantage of blocking the installation of most Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) (such as adware, spyware, unwanted toolbars, browser hijackers) if you enable that feature. The most recent release of Emsisoft Anti-Malware includes an Anti-Malware Anti-Ransomware module.

You might start by using these resources...

 

AV-Comparatives -

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

AV-TEST -

https://www.av-test.org/en/compare-manufacturer-results/?avtest[type]=3

Virus Bulletin VB100 -

https://www.virusbulletin.com/testing/dates/vb100-antimalware

Edited by jwoods301, 01 June 2017 - 02:29 PM.

These kinds of comparative testing results will vary depending on a variety of factors to include but not limited to who conducted the testing, what they were testing for (type of threats, attack vectors, exploits), what versions of anti-virus software was tested, what type of scanning engine was used, and the ability to clean or repair. There are no universally predefined set of standards or criteria for testing which means each test will yield different results. As such, you need to look for detailed information about how the tests were conducted, the procedures used, objectivity and data results. Read Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization: AMTSO Fundamental Principles of Testing.

Each security vendor uses their own testing/analysis methodology to identify various types of malware so the detection results are not always the same.

• Antivirus tests need better methodology
• That Anti-Virus Test You Read Might Not Be Accurate, and Here’s Why
• How to Read Antivirus Comparisons
• AV-Comparatives Testing Methodologies & FAQs
• AV-Comparatives Fact Sheet March 2015 Real-World Protection Test

Some of the testing criteria and standards may even be misleading.

...for some unknown reason...the renowned German test lab AV-TEST has quietly (there was no warning) modified its certification process. The changes mean that the certificates produced by the new rules are, to put it mildly, pretty useless for evaluating the merits of different AV products...With AV-TEST’s new certification standards, the onus is on the user to carefully investigate the actual results of each individual test…they may find that a product that blocked 99.9% of attacks has the same “certification” as a product that only blocked 55%.

Comparative testing: A bit of background for the uninitiated

Further, if you're dealing with zero-day malware it's unlikely the anti-virus testing is going to detect anything. It takes time for new malware to be reported, samples collected, analyzed, and tested by anti-virus/anti-malware researchers before they can add a new threat to database definitions.

thanks.....

 

i will probably end up sticking with AVG just because i have never had a problem with it,

 

really the only reason i was asking for other opinions is because i find AVG slows the system down a lot more then MSE would,

 

but i dont really trust MSE as much as i do AVG

Edited by mikey11, 02 June 2017 - 10:45 AM.

MSE won't slow your PC down, because it is from Microsoft. And your Operating System is also Microsoft

 

Microsoft knows how to make good products for a Microsoft Operating System 

Edited by DefaultGateway, 02 June 2017 - 11:03 AM.

I don't put much faith in MSE either which is why Microsoft made improvements in Windows 8/10 Defender.

quietman7,

 

I clicked on the link you provided for Bitdefender and it was a blank page although it did ask if I wanted to download. Is this done on purpose?

The link (http://download.bitdefender.com/npd/free/Antivirus_Free_Edition.exe) is a direct download. Clicking on it opens a new Tab with a blank page but then loads another window prompting you to save/download the file...Antivirus_Free_Edition.exe

Okay, thank you.

You're welcome.