Microsoft Security Essentials

Horizon81

I've only recently got online and am looking to download Microsoft Security Essentials however when I go to the Microsoft page it just says 'We are sorry, the page you requested cannot be found'
And when I search for it in google, in the top result that comes back it says 'you appear to be in a country or region where Microsoft Security Essentials is not available'

Well, I'm in the UK and everything else on the interent is working ok, does anyone know what the problem is?

cgk1

And when I search for it in google, in the top result that comes back it says 'you appear to be in a country or region where Microsoft Security Essentials is not available'

You are confusing a search result with an actual reply targeted specially at you (I also get the "you appear to be in a country..." result first) - click on the Next link in the google search or go directly to:


http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx

bod1467

I don't use it (I use Avast 6 Free, plus Malware Bytes AntiMalware as needed) but you could always try the CNET download link?

http://download.cnet.com/Microsoft-Security-Essentials/3000-2239_4-10969260.html

Below is the official Microsoft link.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/default.aspx

Who is your ISP in the UK. Is your computer set to use a proxy server based elsewhere in the world? (Check in Internet Options in Internet Explorer).

usignuolo

Be thankful. I have been running it and then last week my PC got trashed by a virus which has found out how to turn offMS Security Essentials. At present have lost all access to it. typing this on a notebook. MS in the states appears to have set up a hotline for virus hit users, but just refers European victims to Malwarebytes or user self help sites while bleating that all anti virus software is only 95% proof at best.

I wonder if this is why they have disabled it for overseas users. You would probably be OK as the virus which trashed my PC targets XP users but no doubt later versions of the viruses are in development even as I type this....

cgk1

I wonder if this is why they have disabled it for overseas users

They haven't - I've just downloaded it fine.

Horizon81

Interesting stuff. Thanks cgk1! The second link does indeed work and it appears it would let me download it.

However when going to Microsoft site and following the links on its own website, I get the we are sorry.... message. Maybe it has been brought down?

Anyway, what would you recommend? Microsoft or Avast free versions, or shell out for Norton or another one you have to pay for? I know this is a moneysaving site but I don't mind paying for better software if it's genuinely better.

brewerdave

I actually use Avast on one PC,AVG on a second and MS Sec. Essentials on the laptop ! All free.My reasoning is that none are 100% guaranteed to stop an attack but at least I'd have a route to solve the problem if one PC became unusable!
I second siteguru's observation about Norton - it completely screwed up one machine in the past and at best it's a resource hog and slows everything down to a crawl!!

david39

If you access Microsoft by typing the URL www.microsoft.co.uk (which in itself is not a website), it will redirect to the UK-orientated pages of microsft.com and you can then download MSE as normal. I had the same trouble regarding it telling me that I was in a country for which I could not use MSE, but that got round it.

Horizon81

Well I'm reluctant to pay for Norton, Kaspersky etc if a free package will do a similar job. I know nothing is 100% safe.

I've gone off Microsoft Security essentials and am looking at AVG or Avast. Avast seems to affect the speeds (start up etc) the least so I think I'll go for that one.

easyhost

i use kaspersky and have for many years and have had no problems.

stilltheone

Honestly, when you can obtain a year's usage of Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 for £6(or free if with Barclays) or ESET Smart Security 4 for £15, I don't see what the fuss is about having to pay a little for good all-round protection.

If you are really strapped for cash, you can use ESET Smart Security 5 Beta for free.