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Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 Released
Greg writes with this excerpt from Ars Techica: "Following a four-month beta program, Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) 2.0 has been released. The new version significantly revamps the heuristic scanning engine, adds Windows Firewall integration as well as network traffic inspection. The update unquestionably makes MSE, which has already become very popular due to its quiet but effective ways, even more of a must-have for Windows users. MSE has always been very good at finding and removing malware, but it has relied mainly on antimalware definitions. The improved heuristic engine makes it even better at detecting threats; at the same time, we expect the number of false positives to slightly increase as well. The new Windows Firewall integration is a minor improvement: it lets you tweak Microsoft's firewall from inside MSE."
MSE has been a lifesaver at our non profit. We put on all our clients' computers. It's free, works great and best of all, no nag screens to "Upgrade" to the pro version, etc. Nag screens tend to upset our consumers. So yes, It's great.
CDE open sourced! https://sourceforge.net/projects/cdesktopenv/
We have loads scattered around for rdp clients / light browsing w/ XP and MSE 1 has been great. Is MSE 2 under XP more of a hog/same/faster?
First I want to say I love the first version of MSE.
Light weight, no nagging, and for most part just stays out of the way.
The new version seems more of the same, except it's been freezing my PC since I upgraded yesterday. I currently have it un-installed to see it's the problem, and so far my PC is rock solid like it has always been.
Any ideas or suggestions? I'm "flying blind" right now.
PS: don't ask me to install Linux (it seems more trouble than it's worth half the time, no offence) or get a mac (I'm broke)
All right! Obligatory, apropos-of-nothing Ubuntu post appeared sooner than normal! Posted as AC so as to not incur the wrath of the Linux Youth.
I'd expect McAfee and Norton to be much bigger "bulls eye" targets, since they're heavily deployed in corporate environments. MSE isn't.
Even better to be without malware for 10 years now! Thanks Debian and Ubuntu!
`echo $[0x853204FA81]|tr 0-9 ionbsdeaml`@gmail.com
Just installed it, having the same concern, and am happy to report that the program doesn't look obviously bloated (just some new options for the firewall), and it's consuming about the same amount of RAM as before. On my machine it usually consumed 4600K, and not it's at about 4800K. Not bad at all, really.
Who knows?
Very few people here actually run linux, they just say so to fit in.
Yeah, what does this have to do with Wikileaks?
There's two processes: The Front end GUI and the backend service (MsMpEng.exe) which usually consumes about 40MB, which is about average for AV products.
Linux desperately needs something like this, or it will never be able to compete on the Desktop.
The problem goes even deeper; there is a serious lack of malware written for Linux. It just isn't profitable enough for malware-developers to target the platform. And mainstream adoption will sadly remain a dream until that changes.
Kudos to MS for showing how it's done.
Doe McAfee or any of the others detect these examples and malware?
We are currently assessing endpoint security products for around 6,000 desktops. The subject of Forefront actually came up, partly because of it's low cost. Yet, I can't find any evaluation of the product in professional reviews, likely due to how new it is. I'd really like to see how it stacks up for the sake of due diligence.
What happens is that the MS's Messenger installer and windows updates will sneakily replace your firefox's default search engine with bing instead of Google.
[citation needed]
I recently installed Live Messenger and am fully up to date with Windows Updates, but my Firefox search engine is still Google. It's never changed. Heck, Bing doesn't even show up as a search engine in Firefox!
You're running Windows, so you're already a big target. Do you really want to try to find something that will go below the radar, or do you want to use what works? MSE is quite good at what it does.
-- "So they told me that using the download page to download something was not something they anticipated." - Bill Gates
You might be a troll, but if not, you are certainly over reacting.
I run windows live messenger and pay attention to the install options which allow me to choose *not* to install things like the Bing Search bar.
Really, you should check your install options with any *free* package, any person who just presses next, next, next without reading what they are doing is simply a fool.
Yes, one could argue that it's evil to have such things ticked by default, but in Microsoft's defense, if you are upgrading messenger, it remembers your previously selected install options and will not by default ask you again to install Bing toolbars and stuff.
How's that any different from any other major AV programs? Some viruses shut down AV software. They know how to get most of the major ones, and perhaps all of them (AV software tells Windows it is AV software, they could use the same sort of thing). So unless you want to change all the time to lesser known AV softwares, from companies that you don't know about (and remember that fake AV software is big) then this isn't an issue.
What's more, the power in AV software on a system isn't virus elimination, it is virus prevention. The whole reason to run an AV program all the time, rather than something like a scheduled task, is it scans files as they come in to your computer, as they execute, and so on. So, if a virus tries to sneak in, the AV software can block it. The virus has to chance to do anything to the AV software as it is not running. It is a "position of primacy" sort of thing. Whoever is there first has the advantage as it can stop the other guy at the door. This is also why when a system gets infect, it is sometimes necessary to do an offline scan, boot from a CD or take the HD to a new computer, because the virus can prevent AV software from being loaded since it is already running.
Virus authors try to defeat any and all virus scanners. It is their business to get on systems. MSE has no special place in that. What matters is how well your virus software is able to pick up on them as they come in (and also how fast it runs as to not slow your system down). MSE isn't the best out there, but it is quite good.
So is there anything stopping its adoption in the enterprise and Fortune 500 companies, replacing the likes of Norton? How about managed updates, LAN update server, policy based scanning settings etc?
When you have upgraded Microsoft Security Essentials - be certain to open the program and click the Setting tab.
Next, on the left of the Settings tab page, click on Microsoft SpyNet. You might find it interesting that you have been opted-in.
There's two processes: The Front end GUI and the backend service (MsMpEng.exe) which usually consumes about 40MB, which is about average for AV products.
I know it doesn't matter when my desktop has 8GB and my nettop has 1GB of RAM, but I'm old enough statements like that make me cringe.
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
i have on my uni provided laptop forefront client security. it seems to be identical to MSE. the only problem is that these idiots have made it impossible to change the auto scan schedule. does anybody know of a good reason not to uninstall forefront and install MSE?
Wealth is the gift that keeps on giving.
Sure you can, just get it from Ninite and off you go. Of course if you are running a pirated version of Windows it won't work even without WGA, since it will call home on first run, which is when I guess it'll go ahead and check your key. You ARE running a legal copy and not just being a filthy pirate, yes MR AC? Anyway I've checked and no WGA on my XP machine, so if it is a principle thing no worries.
As for TFA, allow me to throw a couple of extra letters and say BS. I just run the update check on BOTH WinXP and Windows 7 X64 and both find new updates to the scanning defs but do NOT update to 2.0. So I'll wait until tomorrow and if it still doesn't update I guess I'll have to do the old fashioned uninstall and reinstall bit.
Personally I like it for myself, as I know I'm just going to places like /. and checking my email. Whereas with my waaaay too click happy customers who may or may not be searching for the pron I prefer Comodo Internet Security, which while being a little more talkative during the learning phase has an excellent sandbox with file and registry virtualization. If you have those kinds of people that can pick up more viruses than a Bangkok Whore I heartily recommend Comodo. It actually uses less RAM than MSE, especially during scanning, which you would think since MSE does less than Comodo would be the opposite. Oh well, I have gobs of RAM and like the fact that MSE never asks me shit, especially when I'm typing, which is when Comodo seems to think is a good time for a nice chat.
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
There's one thing I'd like to see in MSE: Control over when it looks for updates. I'd prefer being able to schedule what time of the day it does this, or even have the ability to turn it off and do all updates manually like with all other updates for Windows and Microsoft products.
Are YOU using the TOOL, or is the TOOL using YOU? Think about it!
"Posted as AC so as to not incur the wrath of the Linux Youth."
Not posted AC.
Piss on the Linux Youth. They do for Linux adoption what pedo priests do for Catholic recruiting.
I can't wait until they become the BSD Youth and someone else has the benefit of their enlightened advocacy. :P
"This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
Good Lord Man
You are not saying we should trust Google?
For a lot of people they are the enemy!
MSE install fails genuine check on Windows 7 Ultimate and won't even install. Windows is legit and activated and MS website activation passes and says its genuine. Oh well, the good ole trusty M$ quality again...
I personally run avast on my windows computers.
Security Essentials has made it easier for me to convince a lot of people to stop paying for Norton AV because the MS brand eases their mind (the bitter irony).
It's not that i have a qualm with paying for software, it's just that i don't think Norton does a better job than any of the free AV options.
Which is a shame if you're trying to keep an old system going for someone for simple web browsing. The AV can place the biggest RAM burden on a system with only 256MB RAM (more than the OS or browser). Of course slashdot's favorite answer is "Install Linux". But most full desktop distros like Ubuntu are too bloated for such old hardware as well.
Unfortunately, it still has the restriction that you cannot install it on Windows Server 2008 (the OS I'm using on my development laptop).
No new version is being pulled down on an update, and the "upgrade" option only appears on the help menu, which claims version 1.0.2498.0 is the latest version. What gives?
Presumably, Comodo doesn't care if Windows is pirated? (
I ask not for me, I only use linux, but for friends who are filthy windows pirates whom I still fail to ditch as non-paying computer support customers.(I think I will teach them about google next time I'm called upon.))
Some of my favourite people are from th US; Vonnegut, Chomsky, Bill Hicks.
Worth noting that MsMpEng is truly just "sitting there", unlike Norton or McAfee (or even the good guys like Avast) where there's random, unneeded churn. The only time so far I've seen it have any CPU usage was when I tried to close it with Task Manager and MSE popped up a warning asking me to restart the service.
HI, MY NAME IS ISAAC.
DDR1 RAM is expensive. Many machines still use it.
The answer isn't always 'just buy a cheap ', especially when someone is short of cash but has an old PC in the loft.
I have switched to MSE and so far am happy with it. Got tired of the Avast nags to upgrade. Poor approach on their part.
Cool. Sell the 256MB of expensive DDR1 ram you have, and use it to buy a new netbook.
What happens when >50% of Windows computers are using MSE, will malware be written specifically to bypass it the same way it does for the other major AV players? Is too much success a bad thing?
That is a totally unfair assessment.
Just what has Microsoft released over the years to win your loyal defense, other than the most security impaired OS ever invented by human kind?
Seriously, I have a hard time even contemplating removal of my existing anti virus choices in favor of anything released by Microsoft.
I'd like to test it, but its sort of like testing a parachute made by the a cheese-cloth manufacturer. It requires a leap of faith that the company simply hasn't earned yet.
Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
Sorry, but any software calling home without me first of all asking for permission and second of all telling me honestly what it transmits is malware. Period.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
You can have terabytes of RAM, and performance will be still determined by how often few megabytes of L1 and L2 CPU cache are updated from your giant but slow RAM.
Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
For the same reason code pattern matching and heuristics in operating system are "security" in Microsoft world.
It's bullshit.
Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
Congratulations. You've gained a level in narrow-mindedness. Enjoy your new passive ability: "Missing the point by refusing the print."
If you had cared to read on, the person actually made a sound, if arguably invalid, statement (you know the difference between "sound" and "invalid" right? Right?)
I was a Nod32 fan since the beta of XP, but switched to MSE when it came out because Nod32 kept getting more bloated by each version, and having to pay for it each year, versus FREE was a good push to try it. I visit "questionable" sites weekly (mostly torrent/hacker) and it's blocked several items. I use a 1-2 punch of MSE, and just to be on the safe side, I check malware using Malware Bytes Anti-Malware.
I have a few of the moron crowd, and yeah Comodo doesn't give a crap. That said maybe you ought to offer them Windows 7 Home Premium for $50? You can pick up the three pack for around $119 now, so you can convert three pirates into legit machines and STILL make $30 on the deal. But if all you want is a free AV that will keep that old XP Corporate from getting pwned? Yeah Comodo is the way to go.
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
You can have terabytes of RAM, and performance will be still determined by how often few megabytes of L1 and L2 CPU cache are updated from your giant but slow RAM.
Which is a million times better than back when we had too little RAM, and if you... hit.... swap... everything.... would..... go...... extremely......slow.......and......you'd...... go..... crazy..... waiting...... for...... the....... smallest....... thing........ to.......... finish.
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
on my system msmpeng sometimes starts taking 20-25% cpu for no reason at all. you just have to wait it out and maybe it stops after 10 minutes or so.
Wealth is the gift that keeps on giving.
There's always remixes of major distro's designed for older hardware. I believe linux mint (pretty much exactly ubuntu made more user friendly), has a fluxbox based remix, system requirements being 256 MB of ram and 4 gigs of HD space. The main distrobutions all have offshoots designed to run the majority of the software on much less demanding hardware.
You can use Xubuntu or Fedora. You might want to upgrade your ram. It is not the OS but the flash ads for sites like CNN which require adobe flash scripts that take up hundreds of megs of ram and slow down a Core2Duo to a crawl. It is a security risk to use older versions, but the new versions require a decent pc. You are screwed either way.
WIth ram prices these days you can get a gig for cheap which is essential whether you run WindowsXP or Linux.
http://saveie6.com/
Would you run both at once? Right now MSE seems to think AdAware is malware LOL.
I've got W7 Ultimate - MSE has worked for me since I installed it. And the upgrade also works, never any nags about some issue or other. You might have something else that's stopping the trouble-free installation of this update.
Why did I post this? Ask me now!
It could be that the "linux youth" read the MS EULA and they weren't quit comfortable with it.
Windows assumes you are an idiot...Linux demands proof.
Pity I have no modpoints.
I am no MS fanboy, but I agree with what you say. I liek that Live DOES remember you deselecting it last time, and doesnt nag you on further updates. Microsoft is obviously going to peddle Bing, but they do make it quite clear, and do it in "the right way".
On the other hand.... take recent versions of Java, and its Yahoo bar... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Have a nice day!
Some questions:
1. Is it less resource-intensive than 1.0? I know that the general view is that MSE is light on resources but my (admittedly old) single-core AMD 3500+ sometimes pauses for several seconds with MSE maxing out the CPU usage.
2. Does it integrate with 3rd-party firewalls as well? I happen to run Comodo.
3. Is it available from outside the US? I had to get 1.0 from a 3rd party host.
Actually the effect is surprisingly similar, thanks to complete disregard for memory footprint of frequently performed operations in modern desktop software. Fear of swapping kept developers from writing things that used cache inefficiently.
Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
you're an idiot.
go attempt your ignorantly hypocritical marketeering somewhere else.
why do you cower behind a chosen pseudonym? what are you afraid of?
you're completely pathetic.
you're an idiot.
your use of "Micro$oft" is very telling.
cower some more, feeb.
you're completely pathetic.
it's painfully obvious you have ulterior motives and no moral worth whatsoever.
you fantasize and accuse others with no evidence of being raped by religious figures and brutalizing women and children.
you are a completely pathetic individual, and justice will find you.
why do you cower behind a chosen urine based pseudonym? what are you afraid of?
you're completely pathetic.
present yourself to me; admit what you've done, then i'll bring upon you the ultimate punishment for your transgressions.
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/22930cda-a0bd-4263-890b-ddf812859ca4
3rd hit on Google. You must be a project manager.
You missed the point by a mile, so that probably makes you upper management... 1) This "fix" you reference doesn't work for me. Yes, I can google for stuff. 2) Users shouldn't have to jump thru hoops like this, _ever_. If you think making legit users do things like this is acceptable... well, I'm sorry for you. 3) M$ seems to have at least three different ways to check for activation status (the one at System Properties, one at Web and one at MSE)... WTF?