Just released: Free Microsoft security suite.

3radical

Hi everybody, I'm new. :waves:

At 5pm last night Microsoft released a full internet security suite, you know, the software that protects us against viruses etc. This means nobody needs to buy Norton, Kaspersky, etc, or use that other free one Avast (never felt comfortable with that one).

Anyway, It's called MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS.

Just go to the Microsoft site and download the programme. If you already have a security suite installed already you'll need to uninstall it before you proceed with the Microsoft one. This is easy to do. Just go to control panel, click on 'programs and features' if you are using Vista, and choose the programme you want to uninstall, then click ' uninstall'. Now you are able to get the shiny new one (and free forever) from Microsoft. If you are using XP, go to control panel and click on 'add or remove programs'. Then just choose the program you want to delete and bin it. Now off you go to Microsoft.

It only takes about ten minutes to download, then it will do a quick scan off your system to check for any bad stuff that shouldn't be on there. Then that's it. All the defaults seem to be set to what is ideal, although you might want to change the day and time your computer goes through a quick weekly scan. It's recommeded to do a weekly 5 minute sweep. It also auto-updates, so you'll always have the most up to date protection you can get. AND IT'S ALWAYS FREE!!!

If you are like me, you'll feel comfortable having all your main software made by Microsoft. So that's it. Right, I'm off to have a look around this site I've heard so much about and hopefully save some pennies.

alared

What firewall will you use with this?

del1001

3radical wrote: »

Hi everybody, I'm new. :waves:

At 5pm last night Microsoft released a full internet security suite, you know, the software that protects us against viruses etc. This means nobody needs to buy Norton, Kaspersky, etc, or use that other free one Avast (never felt comfortable with that one).

Why do you not feel comfortable with Avast?, I've been using it for about the last three years, never had a problem.

3radical

alared wrote: »

What firewall will you use with this?

The Windows firewall will be fine. Mine is always switched on, and whilst installing the new security last night there was no conflicts or requests to turn off the firewall. I've just looked at the firewall setting and it is still switched on, so all is well.

3radical

del1001 wrote: »

Why do you not feel comfortable with Avast?, I've been using it for about the last three years, never had a problem.

I'm a bit anal about my security and updates. I want to know that it is working and up to date all the time. And that flippin woman talking to me in that robot voice every morning telling me that my 'virus database has been updated' just didn't cut it.

I just felt that Avast was a bit cheapy. You get what you pay for, and with it being free I didn't feel comfortable.

Although that applies to the new one, with the Microsoft brand I know that I will be getting a proper security package.

murphydavid

Good question. Just read an article that says it will provide basic protection against viruses, Trojans, rootkits, spyware and other malicious attempts to hack or gain remote control of a computer but users will still need to install a firewall.
At the moment I pay £24.00 a year and get everything, not just basic and including a firewall. My full security is well worth £24 a year.
As someone who doesn't do computers, just use them, I don't think I will change untill I see something a bit more re-assuring together with a step by step guide telling me how I will know I have install it so it is working O.K. in laymans language what level of protection I'm getting and what else I need to be FULLY secure. At the moment everytime I turn on my computer I see my little security icon telling me all is well. It may be a false sence of security but I'm convinced.

del1001

3radical wrote: »

I'm a bit anal about my security and updates. I want to know that it is working and up to date all the time. And that flippin woman talking to me in that robot voice every morning telling me that my 'virus database has been updated' just didn't cut it.

I just felt that Avast was a bit cheapy. You get what you pay for, and with it being free I didn't feel comfortable.

Although that applies to the new one, with the Microsoft brand I know that I will be getting a proper security package.

I do feel you've rather contradicted yourself there, but if your happy with it then that's fine, but I won't be changing, like the saying goes, if it ain't broke then don't fix it.

There's an article about it here -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Security_Essentials

..and here -
http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Microsoft_Releases_Free_Security_Essentials/551-106629-580.html

3radical

murphydavid wrote: »

...but users will still need to install a firewall.

That's not quite true

Windows, XP upwards, have a decent firewall already installed. Users just need to make sure it is switched on. As I've said, upon install last night, no mention was made of firewalls, and the built in Microsoft firewall is on and working.

I do feel though, thinking about it, that time will tell with this new package. It has been tested for a while before release, but glitches always arise with anything.

3radical

del1001 wrote: »

I do feel you've rather contradicted yourself there, but if your happy with it then that's fine, but I won't be changing, like the saying goes, if it ain't broke then don't fix it.

Thank you.

I think it will push out Avast though. I mean, both are free, and it is made by Microsoft! What more could you want, especially as you are using a ms operating system. Makes sense to switch, both are free so for me, it's a no brainer.

murphydavid

3radical wrote: »

That's not quite true

The article I read and quoted from was from the telegraph

See

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/6244324/Microsoft-releases-free-Security-Essentials-download.html

moneyjon

you do realise that the fact this anti-virus is made by microsoft is no way an endorsement that it is any good?

the majority of microsofts software is total garbage, just no-one seems to realise this and everyone uses them.