I am using MSE as my anti virus and really like it. Something I don't understand is that under Windows update, the definitions show up as an optional download. I would think it would update itself just like any other anti virus program.

My MSE "Update" tab tells me that my settings will automatically download and install definition updates. There's a tick box on the "Settings" tab to "Check for the latest virus and spyware definitions before running a scheduled scan", which I have checked.

Thanks, I will check that when I get home. The reason I asked is I have windows update tell me when new updates are available and I always look at them before installing and also look at the optional ones when I look at the important ones.

MSE auto updates.

theres just an option of doing it when you do your windows updates as well (one less thing to worry about i guess)

MSE will auto update itself at a specific time, but if the updated defs are out before that Windows Update might notice it and tell you about it giving you the option to DL them earlier.
It's really nothing to worry about. If MSE isn't getting updates, after awhile it will give you a message that it's out of date. You don't need to coddle it.



The Jedi Master

MSE is great. I've been using it since I reinstalled Win 7.

Best anti-virus going now IMHO.

Shhhhhhhhush. Don't let MS hear that, they'll start charging for it.

Not until McAfee and Symantec are dead and buried will they do that.



The Jedi Master

Its only free to Genuine And Activated Windows License Holders, other than that it wont even install, unless you pay to validate your windows install, which is $70+ -> $299 for a Digital License/Key (Depending on Which Version you have). So dont be skimping on MS.

I think MS is trying to pass a new rule for x86/x64 Windows Programs to use their MSI Installer Shell and that the Installers First Check for Genuine Windows Before installing. Regardless on whether its a MS Product or not. So Pretty soon your bootlegged windows wont even be able to run AIM lol.

I haven't run a copy that wasn't legit since the early XP days. I think it was around the release of SP2 that I gave that up. Too risky.



The Jedi Master

I was so glad to dump AVG Free and Spybot once I installed MSE.

My windows is going bonkers lately,

Win7 reboots with win32.xxx bsod (i think it was win32.dll) every few days, no biggie i think my ram is going.

WindowsXP keeps saying that I've had a hardware change and that i need to re-activate windows. So I activate, even though nothing has changed, then a day or 2 later MSE says my windows isnt genuine. annoying. but my Windows XP and Windows 7 are legit, its just annoying having to constantly prove it.

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, but MSE 'automatically' updates definitions daily, that is ONCE daily, according to the Update schedule settings...whatever time you have that set for. 'Yes' you *can* manually do it anytime, but...who would? My Avast occasionally adds definitions a few times a day. Again, from the time I tried MSE I didn't find 'special' range scanning. We back-up to each other's hard drives, and no need to scan those [collective] couple hundred GB of back-ups with every scan. Avast lets me set 'exclusions', areas NOT scanned, MSE did not.

Unless I'm way off, here.... for ME MSE falls short of Avast [perhaps the others? of which I have no experience]

B

That's true, and my Trend Micro updates very often too.
However...no one knows Windows like MS, for obvious reasons. All anyone else can do is treat as best they can---and everyone's system is different. MS knows Windows *code* and how it SHOULD be regardless. No one else has code, only the compiled operating system, other than MS. It's like others know what a painting should look like, but MS knows how to actually *paint it*.
Most issues that come up in Windows are found BY MS and they issue a hotfix. It's not usually a response to an issue. Those who seek to exploit usually do so after a hotfix comes out and THEN they learn how to exploit it for those that don't keep their systems updated. I think MS is in a better position than others even if definitions aren't put out as fast.

I've been getting people off of Norton and onto MSE and I'd do the same for ours if I didn't like the other options I get with Trend Micro. If all of our systems were Vista or 7 I'd definitely make the switch, but TM makes up for some shortcomings in XP for some features I need. I'd like more scheduling options in MSE as well, but I don't think you can beat it for the money. Possibly in general. $70/year for a protection suite is pretty darn steep.

Interesting. Thanks. ....How about this? [64 bit Windows computer], With KPP and UAC, it is not possible for Mal-Ware to automatically install (right?) in the O.S. Likewise, if the operator uses...Firefox with No-Script, or OPERA [scripting permitted 'per site'], no Malware IS LIKELY to run *in* the browser. If these conditions are true, why bother with A/V in the first place? Is the whole philosophy left over from The Old Days, of after market A/V's and Firewalls? Is MSE developed specifically for those who choose [or know no better], to use the default I.E.....?

While testing Sandboxie in my 32 bit computer, I ran with no A/V, took extended trips into the Dark Side and The Gutter, bottom-fishing... and was astonished to find *NOTHING* collected in my sandbox, at all!
Thus I have thought MSE was developed to be a 'pacifier' for those who still 'have the need for both belt and suspenders' in the age of being safe enough running with existing technology and 'care'...??

This topic has always been fascinating to me.........Currently I only 'scan' downloaded files; no 'real-time' scanning.


B