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News Microsoft Security Essentials fails AV-TEST again

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by Gareth Halfacree, 17 Jan 2013.

  1. Tattysnuc

    Tattysnuc Thinking about which mod to do 1st.

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    This^ I've not experienced any difficulties with MSE, but I'd like a bit more faith in it since I came off Symantec..

    Go MSE!
     
  2. GravitySmacked

    GravitySmacked Mostly Harmless

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    I started using MSE on all my boxes a while ago (previously used NOD32) and I've not had any issues. I'm sure there are better paid products out there but MSE sits there quitely and does its job and I like that.
     
  3. theshadow2001

    theshadow2001 [DELETE] means [DELETE]

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    Indeed, MSE seems to be quite pants. Anecdotal evidence supplied by readers is hardly a convincing argument to use MSE, especially when confronted with the results of empirical testing.
     
  4. tigertop1

    tigertop1 What's a Dremel?

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    Well if it was anecdotal evidence you might be right -- 'Anecdotal' as defined implies that verification is dependent on the credibility of the party presenting the evidence. Seems to me that the vast majority of those posting on this thread have good evidential reason to trust MSE-as they are quoting from their own experience. I will stick with MSE thanks.
     
  5. Gareth Halfacree

    Gareth Halfacree WIIGII! Lover of bit-tech Administrator Super Moderator Moderator

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    But 'experiential' evidence is no evidence at all. I eat far more crisps than can possibly be good for me; I have yet to catch the bad AIDS; ergo crisps offer adequate protection from AIDS. QED.

    In other words: people use MSE, they have not fallen victim to malware, ergo MSE works. Same logic, and same flaws: would they have fallen victim to malware if they did not have MSE installed? In many cases - with the readership of this 'ere site, anyway - the answer's no: most people here aren't stupid enough to put themselves at risk by using out-of-date software, dodgy cracks from random Russian webpages, or clicking on the interminable "reset your PayPal access" links they receive via email. Thus it's impossible to say whether MSE is providing protection or their behaviour is providing protection.

    That's why independent testing exists: the only way to be sure anti-malware software works is to expose it to malware, not to install it on client machines and say "our telemetry says nobody's infected." It's also why failing AV-TEST is a bigger deal than Microsoft is making out.

    Not that I'm trying to convince anyone to switch anti-virus packages here. Frankly, I don't care: use whatever works (or appears to work) for you. I run Linux, so it's a moot point.
     
  6. fdbh96

    fdbh96 What's a Dremel?

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    Actually I appear to have changed my mind. Just read the latest edition of PC pro and it also lists MSE way down the bottom. I can ignore the odd test or two, but when every test done proves its rubbish, I think its time to change. Apparently its not as lightweight as I thought either, so I'll be trying Avast and see how it goes (I bet I get a virus tomorrow ;))
     
  7. theshadow2001

    theshadow2001 [DELETE] means [DELETE]

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    hooray for evidenced based reasoning!
     
  8. fdbh96

    fdbh96 What's a Dremel?

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    I know right, eventually you have to give in :D
     

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