[Shrike]

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/09/first-look-microsoft-security-essentials-impresses.ars

Sounds like the MS guys came up with something pretty good.  Doesn't look to meaningfully affect performance (it's currently using on the other of 0.13% of my RAM) and turned up a couple bits of malware that spybot S&D didn't find (nor any other antispyware I've used).

So use it!  It's good for you!

[BloodEagle]

And what does it do that it doesn't tell you about?

[NGTM-1R]

I'm pretty sure ars would have noticed that sort of thing.

[Stormkeeper]

... It says something that to me, 'MS' means Mobile Suit.

Anyway, this does look interesting... if it works as advertised.

[BloodEagle]

I'm pretty sure ars would have noticed that sort of thing.

It was years before someone noticed that the generic MS services portion of XP (I forget the exact name) was phoning home with system information, despite all automatic updates being turned off and a third-party software firewall being turned on. So....

[Shrike]

Well, enjoy your Microsoft paranoia I guess.

[Stormkeeper]

I'm intending on sending my laptop for servicing; I guess I'll reformat and install Windows 7 + this then.

[Kosh]

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/09/first-look-microsoft-security-essentials-impresses.ars

Sounds like the MS guys came up with something pretty good.  Doesn't look to meaningfully affect performance (it's currently using on the other of 0.13% of my RAM) and turned up a couple bits of malware that spybot S&D didn't find (nor any other antispyware I've used).

So use it!  It's good for you!

Previously "Microsoft Security" was one of the biggest oxymorons in the English language. Is it really that good?

[Bobboau]

I'll have to deploy this at work

[Nuke]

my question is why the **** didnt ms come up with this sooner? while ms put in a bunch of completely useless feature with every iteration of their os, seldom do they add something that is actually useful. good to see they decided to add something we can use.

one other problem ms has is free alternatives to windows components that are actually better that their windows counterpart. in this case i look forward to seeing some thorough benchmarking against other free virus scaners like avg and avast.

[vyper]

my question is why the **** didnt ms come up with this sooner? while ms put in a bunch of completely useless feature with every iteration of their os, seldom do they add something that is actually useful. good to see they decided to add something we can use.

one other problem ms has is free alternatives to windows components that are actually better that their windows counterpart. in this case i look forward to seeing some thorough benchmarking against other free virus scaners like avg and avast.

AVG has shot itself in the foot with the constant paid upgrade messages and such. Or if you're doing it on principle you have to contend with the fact most OS alternatives don't have any automated real time detection method  - something that most commercial suites have had since time began.

This package isn't perfect but it means that people who would otherwise avoid the hassle or cost of security software will at least install something. And that's good for everyone.