Microsoft Security Essentials concern?

JohnG

Hi,

I recently switched from AVG to Microsoft Security Essentials as it appeared to get reasonable reviews as an alternative free anti virus program but having downloaded it I'm not at all so sure about it.

Firstly, after the first day it flagged up that my Windows software was not genuine (which it is) and told me that therefore MSEssentials would finish after 30 days. I clicked on the the relevant box it flagged up to resolve and after a short while it all seemed to settle down and the icon with the warning went away.

Today, I've been looking out for the usual green icon and at the bottom of the screen where it normally is and it's no where to be seen? So I thought I'd check the software from the shortcut on the desk top and I find I can't open the folder - even from the list of programs - nothing comes up on screen? (I can click on properties and it shows the usual info though)

Does this sound like I've been hijacked somehow or I am missing something? (I took th address for MSEssentials from one given in an earlier thread and seems to be the right one having checked the site this morning)

I'm now thinking of dumping the MSEssentials and replacing with Avira but wonder if I'm just worrying too much?

Incidently, I've checked the security folder and it's telling me the antivirus is in place and operating OK?

tronator

JohnG wrote: »

Hi,

I recently switched from AVG to Microsoft Security Essentials as it appeared to get reasonable reviews as an alternative free anti virus program but having downloaded it I'm not at all so sure about it.

Firstly, after the first day it flagged up that my Windows software was not genuine (which it is) and told me that therefore MSEssentials would finish after 30 days. I clicked on the the relevant box it flagged up to resolve and after a short while it all seemed to settle down and the icon with the warning went away.

Today, I've been looking out for the usual green icon and at the bottom of the screen where it normally is and it's no where to be seen? So I thought I'd check the software from the shortcut on the desk top and I find I can't open the folder - even from the list of programs - nothing comes up on screen? (I can click on properties and it shows the usual info though)

Does this sound like I've been hijacked somehow or I am missing something? (I took th address for MSEssentials from one given in an earlier thread and seems to be the right one having checked the site this morning)

I'm now thinking of dumping the MSEssentials and replacing with Avira but wonder if I'm just worrying too much?

Incidently, I've checked the security folder and it's telling me the antivirus is in place and operating OK?

My personal view is, avoid MS where you can (WMP, IE, MSE, you name it). Go for Avira. It's better than MSE anyway.

JohnG

Thanks tronator, yes I will almost certainly do that as I'm not happy with the situation as it is at the moment.
I'm currently doing a Malwarebites (up to date version) scan so see if that throws anything up. Meanwhile, I've checked the MSEssentials program folders and everything seems to be their as far as I can tell yet it's still not possible to open it up on screen to check the settings etc?

kwikbreaks

After seeing some sparkling reviews I gave MSE a try but found the overhead was huge doing something or other (may have been copying lots of small files across the network but I really can't remember) so I binned it out and went back to Avast (I can't use Avira - persistent false positive on a program I rely on and CBA to replace).

roadster1

Click on "show hidden icons" on the toolbar, It will be there.

I have used MSE on a Win7 laptop. I find it very low on resources, quiet and efficient.

Richie-from-the-Boro

#1 "" Windows software was not genuine (which it is) ""

Are your :

- Microsoft updates up~to~date ?
- are you still able to download updates from Microsoft ?
- have you checked in the control panel to see if your Windows has passed validation ?

If the answer to the three above is yes then either your AVG [ proper uninstaller here ] has not uninstalled [ two AV progs fighting against each other ] correctly, or your machine may be compromised. JohnG you do not state your O/S, so I cant tell you where to go to verify if your copy is genuine.

JasX

Well given the junk AV and near zero protection you moved from I'm suprised you're suddenly vaguely concerned.

MES is perfectly reliable and not much of a resource hog on a modern machine, check you've used the removal tool to uninstall AVG properly, as per the above advice check your windows updates are up to date (should do this automatically or you have another big hole in your security).

If you can look for the MSE process in windows task manager list if you really want to put your mind at ease but if you're still having problems after doing the above might be worth following the malwarebytes/hijack this anti virus procedure to see what nasty malware might have slipped onto your PC when you wern;t running a porper antivirus before you switched to MSE.

You can also switch to Avira or Avast instead of MSE if you like but still worth following the steps above

JohnG

"Well given the junk AV and near zero protection you moved from I'm suprised you're suddenly vaguely concerned."

That's a bit harsh isnt it Jasx? AVG has been around a while now and certainly used to be recommended by many if not nowadays. It's also been OK for me except for the more recent editions taking so long to scan and slowing down though our 'old' PC (Combination of older PC and presumably AVG needing more memory etc which is the main reason I've switched).

And to say I'm "Suddenly vaguely concerned" is very much wide of the mark to be polite - I'm constantly checking and running various anti spyware/malware software on top of running up to date anti virus programs, even if it has been AVG.

Anyway, having got that off my chest, I've just got back having left the Malwarebytes to do its stuff and it says there are no malicious items or infections found.

However, I now look down at the bottom of the screen and there is the green MSE icon and I can click on the short cut on the desk top and hey presto the it comes up on screen! Now why would that be?

I will double check that AVG is completely removed as suggested and i'll look into one or two of the other suggestions to see if there's anything else that's causing the MES to hide on me.

Donnie

Maybe you can add extra RAM to your PC if you experience slowdowns.

Whilst pressing and holding the Flying Windows key, press the Pause Break key. That will bring up the basic specifications of your computer, as well as it's activation status.

JohnG

Thanks Donnie, I did add some RAM a little while ago but that's not really been an issue (apart from when the AVG was scanning) though I know I ought to remove and/or tansfer stuff such as photos over to a seperate hard drive we bought recently to free up some space.

Anyway, I've just checked MS website for updates that i might need and strangely enough it instructed me to download it's "Genuine Advantage Validation Tool" something I've nether heard of but interesting that it is/was the area that MSEssentials has or had a problem with as mentioned earlier so hopefully this will resolve the problem?
There were no other updates available which was a relief as they are supposed to be supplied automatically when available.

Anyway, I shall persevere with MSE for the time being but shall keep a close eye on it - I don't want to appear complacent or anything .

For the record I'm using XP Home Addition Service Pack 3, AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3500+, 2.2 GHz, 1.0 GB of Ram

Donnie

Yes, AFAIK you need to run the tool before you get access to the download. So as you say, that could be the issue.

Specs are fine.