Just released: Free Microsoft security suite.

penrhyn

I installed it on my occasionally used XP based laptop having removed NIS 2009(I know don't laugh)
I was a little surprised that on its first full scan it found a virus (win32Induc.A)that NIS had missed. So I'm going to give it a whirl for a few months.

BTW Turns out the virus was lurking in the system restore folder when Norton can't go but apparently MSE can.

notbritishgas

3radical wrote: »

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.

The downside of the built in Xp firewall was that it only stopped unwanted incoming traffic, but unlike the others eg Zonealarm it did not stop unauthorised outbound traffic accessing the internet.
Has this new Microsoft offering changed that and is the built in Vista firewall any different.

Jemma-T

Free Microsoft security suite

Not sure I'd call it a 'suite'. www.microsoft.com/security_essentials More a £200 Argos leather effect sofa really. It is very good however and highly recommended.

Windows's firewall in XPSP3 is good, in Vista it's very good and in Windows7 it's excellent. The best firewall I've ever used in fact and if you like tinkering with settings you'll also like it. Add to this most users already have a firewall via their routers.

I hope this will stop people from installing the horrible system hogging Norton and McAfee 'suites' which really are suites except they're so large you can't get out of the room. Terrible software which infects most shop bought machines and people are stuck with them as they're too scared, ignorant or lazy to remove them.

Jemma-T

notbritishgas wrote:

Has this new Microsoft offering changed that and is the built in Vista firewall any different.

In Windows7 with a few changes you can block everything. And I mean everything in and out. Lots of rules can be made and it can all be saved to a settings file.

Snakeeyes21

I wouldnt trust them to be that secure. Just look at their OS its a shower of sh*t.
ill happily stick with avast

Anon

Jemma-T wrote: »

In Windows7 with a few changes you can block everything. And I mean everything in and out.

Of course, switching off the internet connection has the same effect (nothing in, nothing out, not much use if you need to use the internet) :rolleyes:.

Anon

murphydavid

Bit ironic that hotmail from microsoft so called "e-mail with security" has just been hacked and everyone whoes name begins with A or B has had their passwords published on the web see

http://www.reuters.com/article/sarahPalin/idUS33422544820091005

Jemma-T

No digital information is ever "safe". At least with Microsoft you know they'll be on the case to secure things.

We'll have to see too if this "hacking" is really that or just the usual idiots and numpties using the obvious passwords.

My money is on idiots and the usual numpties.