Mricrosoft Essentials: Just How Much Security Does it Provide?

Slacker7

Member
I am running MSE on my laptop but I just cleaned up a nasty browser hijacker called Mysearchdial that came "attached" to a cpu-z freeware offering (yes, I take full blame :eek: ). I even ran MSE upon the executible prior to opening this freeware but it found nothing (yes it was updated to the latest definitions, etc.).

So after I discovered the infection I ran MSE full scan. It said it found some things and so once it finished I had it delete said items. No good because Mysearchdial remained firmly entrenched.

Then I tried Malwarebytes free version (again fully updated) and it found a slew of PUP files and once the full scan was done I had MWB delete said files. After the restart the infection remained intact.

It took Adwcleaner to fully get to every thing and now my system is clean. Excellent freeware by the way and it comes with no hidden files,etc.

Anyway, I have read very strong mixed reviews about MSE in the current landscape of security needs. From what I researched it is fine as long as the system is clean but once it becomes infected it a) has a hard time detecting items and b) has a hard time cleaning them. This has been my experience.

* I like the fact it has a light footprint and MS is constantly updating. What I don't like is it's failure to warn me and clean my system.

Thoughts on MSE as a security option?

Thanks.
 

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
The problem computer users have is that nowadays most programs come bundled with malware even if that program you want to install is a decent program. Most programs such as java, flashplayer will want to install extras such as ask toolbar or mcafee security scan which you don't want. All you need to do is decline to install the extras. Simple as that. You have to watch the boxes that come up during the install.
 

claptonman

New Member
It's skewed.

The way most AVs work is they block applications that act like viruses. With MSE, it only blocks attacks from a database it keeps and goes off from that. That is why, for the savvy computer user, MSE is preferable.
 

PCunicorn

Active Member
You need to do a custom install if you're given the option every single time. Many programs will install other software (that virus program, in CPU-Zs case) if you do an automatic install.

Now, while MSE has lost it's certificate, that doesn't mean it's a bad program. I use Defender (which is MSE is Windows 8) in conjunction with Malware Bytes, and I've never had a problem as I am careful. If your reckless and always downloading and visiting sites you shouldn't, I recommend using something more powerful.
 

Slacker7

Member
You need to do a custom install if you're given the option every single time. Many programs will install other software (that virus program, in CPU-Zs case) if you do an automatic install.

Now, while MSE has lost it's certificate, that doesn't mean it's a bad program. I use Defender (which is MSE is Windows 8) in conjunction with Malware Bytes, and I've never had a problem as I am careful. If your reckless and always downloading and visiting sites you shouldn't, I recommend using something more powerful.

The problem was there was no custom install because there was no given options. It was CPU-Z freeware and it came with Mysearchdial without any option given to allow or disallow. And as I said I scanned the executible before installing with both MSE and Malwarebytes and both said it was clean. I found out otherwise.

My reason for asking about MSE is because 1) it didn't report any issues with said software as it scanned it and 2) it failed to clean the infection when I scanned my system, it reported it, but could not clean it. #2 has been reported by several sources and my experience bears this out.

If I had done this on my main system NOD32 would have flagged this in a heartbeat but I wanted to try out MSE on my laptop.

By the way, I am far from reckless. This is the first infection I have had in years. So I am not "always downloading and visiting sites I shouldn't."
 

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
I have downloaded cpuz from this website and installed a few times the last couple weeks and have had no ill effects.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Not sure where you got your copy from. But as I said before, you really have to watch the install as it progresses and just don't keep on clicking next or you'll be agreeing to install malicious programs. Why they bundle them with good software is beyond me.
 

bengal85

Member
I used to run MSE until I found avast had a free AV. since discovering that I have not switched back and I have not had any major issues at all.
 
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