Thread: Microsoft (in)Security Essentilas

I went to the old MS paid antimalware years ago, very happy when it morphed into the free MSE. Compared to the resource hungry Norton software it is far superior.

I think, however, people are missing a key strategy for preventing malware infections. Use a log on with diminished privileges! Create an admin log on for installing software and other maintenance, and turn all other user accounts into non-administrator.

The UAC is much maligned, disable it if you must while setting up a new PC but reinstate it once done.

These two strategies will add to your system security. Malware can only install itself using the admin rights of the current user, if the current user cannot install software, the malware can't install. And, annoying as the UAC is (particularly in Vista) having something jump up if system changes are made is a good thing.

And, don't install multiple anti-malware programs. Pick one and stay with it. If you don't like it, remove it completely (using the remoavl tools from the vendors website) and install another.

Make sure you check for updates on a regular basis, and run scheduled scans. This is where programs like MSE come into their own, try using a computer when Norton, McAfee, etc are scanning. Small footprint programs are the way to go!

Spent many hours removing viruses from computers that are running MSE.
Spent the last 10 years working with a number of companies one with 25000 PCs on the domain and found Symantec to be rubbish.
Found NOD32 and others was what I ended up using to get the viruses that Symantec couldn't.
I used NOD32 for years but departed from it this year as I think they lost their edge went to Kaspersky they have major issues with updating so not sure they are the answer either.
No idea what is best but Kaspersky is getting the best reviews at the moment.

I dont think there is any one system that will be 100% effective in getting rid of the maleware,viruses,trojans,etc,etc.

The main ones (Kapersky,Norton,McAfee ??) have there pluses and minuses as the years go by.

Its up to the user to find one that works for them and swap it if its not doing its job.
None of them will be perfect.

cheers

I work in IT Security for a living... as said above, on any day - one package is always better than the others. The baddies are in front - and if they want to, they will get you. (Think "high value targets" rather than Joe Blogs). Anti-malware packages only catch about 50% at the moment. User behaviour, education and limiting access rights are all good strategies.

Just an example... recent studies show only 5.5% of all devices on the internet have up-to-date Java. There are literally dozens of exploits for older Java, and all you need do is go to an exploited web site to get infected. Even large USA news sites not immune.

One thing I have discovered, is that while MSE cleans well, it waits until you have been infected before it does anything.

Currently trying Avsat 8 Internet Security. Seems to be more pro-active.

I got a text from my bank today which basically said that my computer was infected and they froze my netbank system. Sorted with the local branch, had it unlocked with new password and ran McAfee stinger from the bank site. Ran program and computer came up clean. I only run the built in windows defender from within windows 8. Jim

Originally Posted by d@rk51d3

One thing I have discovered, is that while MSE cleans well, it waits until you have been infected before it does anything.

Currently trying Avsat 8 Internet Security. Seems to be more pro-active.

the above it not quite how it works

some security suites attempt to pre empt infection by managing traffic and attempt to block content etc so welcome to the world of false positives

avast is one of the better ones at the moment but can tend to drive you nuts