I'll stick with MSE until I have a problem with it. I've been using it since it was first available and have had no problems. It takes care of itself and a quick glance at the icon in the notification area tells me that it's up to date and has done a recent scan. Otherwise the icon changes color and I can open the interface and see what the problem is.

Bob, I think the point made in the article is that you have a higher likelihood of having a problem if you use MSE. I'd suggest you don't want to wait until you have a problem.

MSE has limited features and provides only limited protection compared to others. It's inflexible to use.

My own personal experience - I'm careful where I go and what I do, and my downloads are ONLY from major sites like CNET and Source Forge. I've found that the one activity most likely to get me in the wrong internet neighborhood is a click through from a Google search. At one point, I got fed up with McAfee and then wandered in the desert of free AV programs. None was consistently effective, I had problems with all of them. I started using Norton several years ago and have had NO problems since. None. Especially good is Norton's intrusion protection, which many AV programs don't provide effectively or at all.

Norton is cheap and effective, and nothing else is required. Especially not required is the litany of programs and silly cleanups I see recommended here from time to time, that's so unnecessary.

Good luck to all.

After reading the article, it is obvious to me that if you ask 10 different people, you will get 10 different answers. I am comfortable with MSE, and that is where I will stay.

Nearandwest wrote After reading the article, it is obvious to me that if you ask 10 different people, you will get 10 different answers

Exactly how I feel too. No one knows the logarithms used to procure these findings. Wait till tomorrow and another viewpoint will show differently.

As I have mentioned before, I have nothing but MSE for protection on this computer and have had no problems. MSE was installed on the day of release, 3 years now I think.

It's the old GM, Ford, Chrysler thing again and we all make a choice.

I agree with nearandwest and owbist. One thing that bothered me about that particular article is that it neglected to include that the Lavasoft (now owned by the less reputable Lulu Software) engine uses GData.

Opinions vary as to whether all eggs should go in the same basket. Some people prefer suites like Norton, ESET or Kaspersky. Others have budget constraints and are restricted to free solutions.

The best antivirus solution is the one that works for you, whether it be a paid/licensed suite or a free A/V like Microsoft Security Essentials. As snidely pointed out, a click through from a Google search can easily land on a compromised website, although such incidents are most frequently due to missing security updates or Oracle Java or Adobe Flash vulnerabilities.

@snidely, like me, you have been fortunate in that the combination of "safe hex" and the protection provided by your A/V has protected your computer so you haven't needed "the litany of programs and silly cleanups". Others, including Norton customers, are not as fortunate. All it takes is downloading a program (yes, including from CNet or Download.com) and having your browser taken over by FunMoods or Babylon.

My recommendation continues to be to install Microsoft security updates, keep third party software updated (particularly Oracle Java and Adobe products), and be watchful when installing programs for pre-checked "extras". Rather than using collective download sites (which add toolbars and add-ons they are paid by third parties to include with the software), go to the vendor site. Remember, free is not always free.

Another important point. No matter where the program you're installing came from (download, cd, whatever) read each screen carefully before clicking anything.

I think it is possible to download things even if it is not showing. I found AVG safe search in my program files while looking for something else. I Googled to see what it was and there are a lot of people angry and wanting to know how it got there and how to get rid of it. They say it keeps coming back when rebooted. I checked add and remove programs and found AVG Toolbar. I uninstalled the tool bar and it took the safe search with it. I have no idea how it was installed. I always check to be sure nothing is checked.

You're right, EmmaR. They are sneaky. For example, if you uncheck the toolbar offer before unchecking the options to change search engine and home page, those options are often grayed out!

DonnaB (bbluz here) posted an example in "Avoiding the installation of Foistware (aka crapware, and drive by installs)" linked below that illustrates how sites like CNet make money (up to $1.50 per install!!!) If the two bottom items aren't unchecked first in the Dr.Web Cureit download image before unchecking the toolbar offer, the changes are likely to be made anyway!

So, if not careful, as shown in Donna's example, people get not only Babylon, which can be very difficult to remove, but also another browser.

(BTW, no extras are included from the Dr.Web Cureit website at http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/?lng=en. CNet is making money from the purveyors of Babylon and from Google.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Avoiding the installation of Foistware (aka crapware, and drive by installs)

Might not even need anti-virus if you use the right browser...

Here is a link that might be useful: Firefox, blocking only 5% of malware and 0.8% of click fraud.

An interesting article Mickie. I wonder who paid for the study?

Too many studies are paid for by those with a vested interest in the outcome sadly.

AVs are like cars. Everyone has their own choice; foreign, domestic, Ford, Chevy, Toyota, or Honda.

The best protection is the informed and disciplined user.

DA

DA said "AVs are like cars. Everyone has their own choice; foreign, domestic, Ford, Chevy, Toyota, or Honda. "

I agree, but I'll extend it to suggest that like cars, while there are many choices, they are not equivalent (less true today for cars than, say 10 years ago). People cling tenaciously to their choice. Never admitting to themselves or to others that they have a problem if it turns out that their choice was a mistake, and assuming that any problems they have are problems that would have been experienced with other choices. And always suggesting to others that their choice was the best choice.

AVs are not created equal, tests and reviews always show differences in effectiveness, as OP has said. You should NEVER have a problem or incident with one, and if you do, you should change to another one. "Free" is not always the best choice.

Distinguish between malware and adware. I agree that pesky, persistent adware (like toolbars) can be unwanted and annoying. I agree that the practices are a bit sneaky, they should never be installed without giving the user a clear choice and they should be uninstallable in a simple manner. Adware is not going away anytime soon. Just like the inserts in your Sunday paper or the commercial that interrupts your favorite TV show. Advertising is ever present, although with software, there's much less with software you buy. Companies that distribute free software will always need a way to support their effort, and adware is what helps pay the bills.

To suggest that a free anti virus is less effective than those for a fee is foolish in my estimation. How soon would the anti virus program maker be out of business if it let through problems because it is less than the pro version at detecting problems? Pro version have bells and whistles, much of which the average user may well not need.

Using AVG as an example, only because they are one of the oldest in existence, they are no longer simply an anti virus. To stay up with the competition they now cover most aspects of safety. (Not sure if keyloggers are included in the AVG arsenal) Another example of a safety program trying not to get over run is Zonealarm, once a simple firewall but these days they too have entered the fight against malware. With the introduction of Vista, Windows 7 and 8 Zonealarm is suddenly irrelevant but they were good in their day.

I still maintain all the leading security companies collude in an attempt to stay ahead. A battle some reports have suggested they are losing. But of course who is paying those folks to make such statements ;~)

Using AVG as an example, when I used it, I started to lose confidence after two virus infections. The end of my experience as an AVG user was when it quarantined and removed a key Windows program. My PC would no longer boot up and I needed to reinstall Windows, and of course doing so wipes the hard drive. No big loss but time and annoyance, important files were backed up. Haven't used AVG since, that was inexcusable.

I didn't say free programs are less effective, I said they're not always the best choice. Ease of use, configuration alternatives, effectiveness, broad coverage, etc are not bells and whistles, to me they are essential features. Go by current ratings/tests, the scene changes over time. but as I tried to explain in the preceding post, don't give any program unearned loyalty.

You use the word "collude", that has negative connotations and I'm not sure what you mean by that. They share technical information about threats and sightings, isn't that what users should want them to do?

I paid for an AV until I found this forum. The pay AV was complicated to use and almost impossible to renew and it cost $70 a year. It may be easier now since I am a more experienced user and they may have improved it, but I will stick with the free even though I am not restricted budget wise.

I have used Norton security since our first internet computer with windows 98. I know the experts say to ditch it but the few times I had trouble like when my brother's and my friends computer got infected and were sending out emails with a virus Norton caught it for me and took it right out to protect me so I guess based on that experience I keep it. One time a legit website I visit got hacked with porn and Norton blocked me from getting in.

A few years ago I decided to try the free AVG to see if I would switch and 2 days later something got in and infected the computer after years of never having trouble using Norton. I don't know if I didn't use AVG right or what so could have been my fault but I know how to use Norton and it seems to work for me so I am set in my ways.

I will say the limited experience I have with Norton tech support is awesome. I screwed up a program update on my sons computer and had to call tech support and tech from the other side of the pond had to take conrol of my computer and he had it fixed in no time and he had a very nice speaking voice and was easy to understand.

Recently my friend didn't realize about automatic renewal and didn't disable it. She wanted to by the CD from BJ's since there was a good deal going for the latest version. She called Norton and they appologied and credited her charge card and gave her 3 free months so I thought that was nice. Mary

I like many users started years ago with McAfee as it came with my Win95 system. I kept it until readings convinced me Symantec was better. Then Symantec became too much of a resource hog so I went to AVG, and am still using it today. In all those years regardless of product I have had one report of a virus, and it turned out to be a false positive.

Too many users are like sheep. They blindly follow. If I was a gambler I would bet money right now that if any one of maybe three select members here reported that if you put cow chips under your system to control viruses, there would be members who would be out the door heading for the farms. Why? Only because so-and-so said so.

As I said, be informed. A good place to start is to go to the site below and register. Also, opt for the e-mail. Though the site offers for-pay benefits, the free readings are very informative for most of us.

DA

Here is a link that might be useful: Virus Bulletin

What's important is to use AV software that offers real-time protection. I know so many folks who simply scan with Malwarebytes or Super and are delighted when a scan detects and removes malware. I stress that the key is to block as much as possible but it falls on deaf ears.
I have used Avast for years. It is not perfect but it has a valuable boot time scan feature.

I update MSE daily and scan weekly...same with SAS and MBAM. I try to do an online scan monthly...either ESET or Kaspersky. I'll continue as long it works for me.

John - couldn't agree more, an AV program is worthless without real-time protection. If a scan detects a problem it's too late - the problem should have been blocked.

DA, Norton has a very light touch these days. It even runs scans automatically when the PC is on but inactive for some predefined number of minutes - a very clever approach.

I'm not sure why you find an industry virus publication useful, unless you work in the industry. Anymore than the weekly activity report for your police department, or your local public health service, would be of any value. I believe in the Ron Popeil (of infomercial fame) approach - "Set it and forget it". If an AV program doesn't do its work silently and completely effectively, try another one. No amount of user knowledge or intervention should be required.

For pricing, check Amazon. Good systems are available for $25 per year per PC or less. If you only have one PC, buy a 3 user license and split it with 2 friends, even cheaper.

It is a portal or test results, comparison opportunities, and product reference. Plain and simple it is a resource.

The VB referral is just another post you don't agree with.

DA

DA, I'm happy to hear you disagree and for you express an opinion that differs from mine. I'm not sure I understand why you don't feel the same if I disagree with you.

It serves no purpose for me to explain. Life moves on.

DA