Will Microsoft's Free Antivirus App be Worth the Price?

[Lisandro]

If you want to do a manual update, that option is available for both AV programs.

I know that... but, there is a but, are the automatic updates connected to Windows Updates only? Will they occur just once a day?

[mkis]

Of course my review is not going to be unbiased Bob. We are talking about the same Microsoft aren't we? I actual thought I was going easy on them. Giving them good raps for once. But I just keep thinking back to last November. Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the water.

To be absolutely truthful, I am quite impressed at this point in time. Very tidy utility that has been provided for Windows and  I think Windows 7 in particular. But could prove very useful for XP as well. I don't want to say much more just yet, but I'm looking for a clean run with it over the next week or two, when I will be using the laptop as my full-time computer. And possibly even substitute the signature below, so I'll be supporting the brand as well as the utility on my profile. I dont see any problem with that. I'm a supporter.

[Lisandro]

Just a side note... Installing MSE on Vista does not uninstall Windows Defender :'(
Files are there, security central just report it as being disabled.

[bob3160]

Just a side note... Installing MSE on Vista does not uninstall Windows Defender :'(
Files are there, security central just report it as being disabled.

It doesn't on Windows 7 either and isn't supposed to. If you uninstall MSE, Windows defender will again do it's job.

I'm a supporter.

I'm a consumer.

[bob3160]

I just noticed that we had 3 updates for MSE today.

[Lisandro]

I just noticed that we had 3 updates for MSE today.

You (and other users) missed the first two... I can't agree with this update method (through Windows Update). It makes no sense. Now users will have bond antivirus and operational system updates.

[YoKenny]

I just noticed that we had 3 updates for MSE today.

You (and other users) missed the first two... I can't agree with this update method (through Windows Update). It makes no sense. Now users will have bond antivirus and operational system updates.

I did not do a Windows Update and the definitions are up to date on my system.

Latest Definition Updates
Windows Defender
Antispyware: v1.61.1453.0

http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal

[mkis]

Latest Definition Updates
Windows Defender
Antispyware: v1.61.1453.0

http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal

My computer has been powered up for a half-hour after being turned off for four hours. When I checked the latest definition on the website my MSE was not up to date. I admit a half-hour is not a long time. However, avast has up-dated in that half-hour. Anyway, I updated MSE manually and now I'm fully up to date.


As for the scheduled scan 9am Saturday morning, all went exactly as was set, and MSE updated to latest definitions prior to the scan as was scheduled. So I'm very pleased about that.


Signature updated on ‎Sat ‎Jul ‎11 ‎2009 09:01:25
Product Version: 2.0.5612.0
Service Version: 2.0.5612.0
Engine Version: 1.1.4803.0
AS Signature Version: 1.61.1389.0
AV Signature Version: 1.61.1389.0
************************************************************
[‎Sat ‎Jul ‎11 ‎2009 09:01:26] Process scan started.
!WARNING
Expensive file
File Name:C:\Program Files\Common Files\Lenovo\Scheduler\tvtsched.exe
File Size:1122304
Time:3144
Container:No
Metric:CPU
CRC4:2813297023
CRC8:2687760638
CRC16:2876155061
CRCHeader:2829491404
CRCFooter:1771157206
************************************************************

[‎Sat ‎Jul ‎11 ‎2009 09:02:17] Process scan completed.

[bob3160]

I just noticed that we had 3 updates for MSE today.

You (and other users) missed the first two... I can't agree with this update method (through Windows Update). It makes no sense. Now users will have bond antivirus and operational system updates.

I did not do a Windows Update and the definitions are up to date on my system.

I didn't either. I simply posted a screen shot from the Windows Update section to show the reflected updates.

[Lisandro]

Each time, each time, I open the interface and ask for an update, it's outdated...
How is the update method after all... I'm connected for more than one hour... I can't believe... If they can't keep the server traffic, then, just do not develop an antivirus.

[mkis]

I just noticed that we had 3 updates for MSE today.

Where did the screenshot come from, Bob? - for Review update history.
I dont get that screen. Is that a Windows 7 screen? I'm using XP.

I just powered the laptop and ran for half-hour then checked against security updates. Not up to date.
avast updated about 15 minutes after power up. I didn't update MSE manually but instead waited for the auto update.

I am able to check an auto update event against my record at Security Center - Microsoft Update - Review your update history.
After 3 hours, still no auto update.

[mkis]

I'm not sure but on the previous session with laptop and MSE I may have left the connection running for 6 hours and I had no auto update.
So I did manual update. Its no great problem as I still have avast running. And no trouble to manual update.

New problem this morning.
I leave computer unconnected but because wireless is still capable, the laptop has been connecting by itself to unsecured networks that it can reach. The connection can activate but is not strong enough for transfers, (or transfers are perhaps denied by my defenses - but unlikely), so some auto updates attempted to load while I was busy elsewhere. When I returned to the laptop, Microsoft had posted some error messages related to failed auto updates. So I was really happy about that, even if it was the first time that there was some notice from MS about the auto update service. I didn't manual update this time, but set my own internet connection - Vodafone USB removable modem (vodem) - and left the laptop to wait for auto update.

After 5 hours there was no auto update. Perhaps I need to wait for the 8 hour interval, but I cannot see why MSE will not auto update when there is a new definition available, as avast does not long after the computer has been powered up, regardless of the circumstances. Maybe with a fail, the 8 hour interval starts all over again.

Irregularities may arise, perhaps, due to off and on nature of my computer use - my vodem can only be used one computer at a time, no network capacity, but also only one computer at risk at a time, so ideal for trying different options. But 5 hours is too long to wait and in the end I had to manual update. I needed to use the vodem elsewhere on a different computer.

I can only suggest once again that MSE is suited to computer that is connected 24/7 or at least on a consistent enough pattern to ensure that auto updates, when ready, register not long after boot up. That said, manual updating is not too big a problem to make a part of my work routine for the time being. Also Microsoft have sent through reports to help me deal with one problem that can crop up while laptop is unattended. Obviously, if I want to continue making use of different technology as I have been, then I have to put up with issues that can emerge.
And I'm still making use of MSE as part of my defence plan.

[mkis]

My weekly MSE scan went through about 9am Saturday. MSE updated definitions prior to scan.

I spent this weekend doing some active malware fighting, something i am not actively engaged in much anymore. I already posted about the first cleanup ( http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=46521.msg394260#msg394260 ). That went well and the PC is now running superfast, much faster than anything I've got at home. The other job involved an infested hard disk - many of the characters that turn up on the forum made an appearance including vundo (which mbam whammied right at the start). Second up avast antivirus did the usual biz on the disk (sent 900 odd instances of infection to chest). I watched this boot scan through rather than automate - system restore was on, so filled most first batch - autorun prominent amongst system files - quite a few corrupt archive (bout 15). First run, avast couldn't quite complete job, becoming diverted at around 90odd% thru scan. I deleted system restore files from chest and turned System Restore off. Ran another scan - complete until bout 96% then - could not scan object - repeat - repeat - etc...
Time now at a premium, so went to web and downloaded Sophos antirootkit, ran that through and removed what was objected to.  Ran another avast boot scan which went through clean, no infected files. Did quick tidy up of drives. All good so far.

This morning I put a pen drive in the laptop and MSE detected an infection. The pen drive is one I hardly use but I did run it through a computer early on to look for a tool. It had been run with Flash Disinfector but only on my computers at home, so obviously not immune to infection out in the wild. Anyway, when I loaded it in the laptop this morning it was by mistake. It is on the same key ring as another flash drive that I use as my No 1. So by mistake turned out to my benefit. MSE picked up the autorun that had snuck onto the old pen drive. That's what we like to see. I have posted the screenshot at the bottom.

Edit - I only now discovered that you have to be logged in as a member to the forum to be able to view attachment files like screenshots. I guess would advise reader to take up a membership.

[bob3160]

Where did the screenshot come from, Bob?

They came from my Dell Vostro 1700 laptop running Windows 7

[mkis]

Hi Bob

I was wondering whether there were some extra features that come with Windows 7 than enable MSE to show more performance views, such as the update record and not just current status of updates.

I thought your screenshot might be a Windows update history page view available through Windows 7 / MSE that was not available on my XP / MSE. Or was the screenshot from Microsoft update history from Microsoft download center?

As you might imagine, I am so glad to see MSE step in so quick to detect and contain the autorun infection on the old pen drive. Last winter this was a regular task that avast performed. So good to see MSE also performing to those expectations.