Is Microsoft Security Essentials a replacement for Norton?

KG

My free trial of Norton Antivirus is coming to an end in the next few days and I was looking at the free antivirus software listed at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/free-anti-virus-software

Just so I can get it clear in my head, is something like Microsoft Security Essentials a straight replacement for Norton? I am a little confused as to whether I need something else too.

I am pretty scrupulus about what I click on / download / open. I use windows 7 and my wireless router has a firewall.

Thanks for the advice.

KPG

jakswan

Use this at your own risk etc as a rule of thumb I generally use Avira AntiVir Personal when it updates there is window that pops up trying to sell you their latest product but it seems to do the job.

It doesn't harm to do the odd scan using an online scan now and again, Panda Activescan and Trend Housecall are well known names in the industry.

This combined with Spybot and you should be fairly safe especially if you can recognise a dodgy website. Always found Norton and Macafee to be a bit bloatware.

I now I'm biased but if it has Microsoft in the name for me it's normally one to avoid

5bellies_2

I've seen Microsoft Security Essentials on a few machines that have been brought to me for repair. Certainly not impressed with it yet, better ones are available.

Donnie

Make sure that you use the Norton Removal Tool

MSE is fine. You can also consider Avast 5 or Avira.

alanrowell

I had MSE for several months then one day it decided to use 50% CPU all of the time. After several attempts to fix it - including reinstalling & system restore - I gave up and fitted Avira

custardy

5bellies wrote: »

I've seen Microsoft Security Essentials on a few machines that have been brought to me for repair. Certainly not impressed with it yet, better ones are available.

not impressed in what way?
the coding?
detection?
bells and whistles?

TrickyDicky101

I use MSE on all my computers (2 laptops and 1 desktop). It has never caused me any problems. I used to use AVG but one of the recent versions of this seemed to drain PC resources so I gave up and switched to Avast (which I also liked). Ended up with MSE when I installed Windows7.

JasX

5bellies wrote: »

I've seen Microsoft Security Essentials on a few machines that have been brought to me for repair. Certainly not impressed with it yet, better ones are available.

I worry that people are trusting you to repair computers with a post like that.

MSE avira or avast are all perfectly good, as above be sure to use the Norton removal tool after uninstalling normally otherwise it'll leave bits of itself on your PC

5bellies_2

JasX wrote: »

I worry that people are trusting you to repair computers with a post like that.

MSE avira or avast are all perfectly good, as above be sure to use the Norton removal tool after uninstalling normally otherwise it'll leave bits of itself on your PC

Thanks for your vote of confidence. It's people like you that put me off trying to help people.

I only say what I see, and I've seen Microsoft Security Essentials miss virus infections on dozens of PCs. I wouldn't trust it on my machines, or those of my customers.

custardy

5bellies wrote: »

Thanks for your vote of confidence. It's people like you that put me off trying to help people.

I only say what I see, and I've seen Microsoft Security Essentials miss virus infections on dozens of PCs. I wouldn't trust it on my machines, or those of my customers.

i run it on 7 machines(my own and those i manage)
so far none have any viruses
2 of those machines are used by complete computer illiterates!

Richie-from-the-Boro

- use the removal tool as #4 tells you
- use ccleaner to get rid if the carp
- use MSE its a perfectly adequate product

There is no one protection, everyone has a different preference, you decide. You are behind a hard firewall and have a soft firewall, and a modern operating system plus you will be one of the 30 miilion individuals using the free Microsoft Security Essentials, this is more than adequate for anyone in your situation.

Incidentally I have nothing against avira or avast or many others.