A reader cites Leo who tells readers to keep on keeping on with MSE
Hi TC and EB , Reference your recent articles slamming Microsoft Security Essentials — you might like to comment on the attached from Leo Notenboom who ,I am sure you know ,is well respected in the computer industry and write’s a weekly newsletter which I and am sure lots of your readers subscribe to .
Our answer
(EB had to restrain TC here because he was about ready to boil over 🙂 So Darcy answered this diplomatically:
Here is how I responded. Never will we recommend something we know does not work! Hope this helps everyone understand better:
For years we recommended MSE but we no longer recommend it. We base this mainly on the fact we started seeing many computers running MSE/Defender showing up with trojans and viruses the past few weeks; something we had not seen the past couple of years since we started our Cloudeight Direct Care Service.
Also, Microsoft has completely dropped down so far it is no longer listed as passing performance testing by the most popular independent AV testing company, AV-Comparatives: http://www.av-test.org/no_cache/en/tests/test-reports/?tx_avtestreports_pi1%5Breport_no%5D=133162
http://chart.av-comparatives.org/awards_by_vendor.php?venID=11
Other independent tests showing very low ratings or showing it does not meet industry averages:
http://www.av-test.org/no_cache/en/tests/test-reports/?tx_avtestreports_pi1%5Breport_no%5D=133162
Those two are the largest and most reliable as far as AV testing but you can do searches and find others (make sure it is independent av testing, not av testing that lists according to commission/affiliation).
We no longer recommend MSE or Defender. We have written several articles the past few weeks on our findings.
(TC adds: Anyone who tells you to keep using MSE is either a MS fanboy or doesn’t have a clue what he or she is talking about. Sorry folks, I just had to say this. EB please don’t hurt me! )
The best analogy that I can think of for this is: A condom with a hole in it is still a condom and it may still work. Will the condom manufacturer pay the bills if it doesn’t work? I have an Internet Security Suite that I will sell you and I am a ‘guru’ and will stand behind it all the way up to its first failure.
I don’t know if the reader is aware that Leo worked with Microsoft for a number of years, so he probably won’t say anything against them I would think, but maybe he does get some deals from them for recommending them or testing some of their stuff… who knows, but I would take that into consideration and do some research if I was in any doubt…. but just wanted to make the reader aware of this.
I get Leo’s weekly newsletter and was very disappointed in what he wrote about MSE. I am NOT a computer “guru” but I have a dollop of common sense and I can read and comprehend. Shame on you, Leo, for continuing to recommend a security program that is no longer meeting the standards at all in reliable testing.
“Good Golly, Miss Molly”…………How long will this go on? I was sure that by now your members would take heed to what you say and realize you “are a not for profit org.” in the sites you do or do not recommend.
Keep up the good work!
Apparently, the computer guru isn’t a guru, at least, not an up to date one. Someone needs to educate him!
I just follow the money.
I used MSE for several years with no problems. When Cloudeight removed it’s recomendation, I changed my anti-virus program. My new antivirus found several trojans in each of my computers.
I did purchase Emsisoft and had CE install it. I then scanned my computer and found only a couple cookie type “malware”. I had been using MSE. Maybe I was just lucky.
Anyway MSE had been giving me messages lately that I was unprotected because my computer had not been scanned lately. (I had it set to auto scan).
also it would tell me my protection wasn’t turned on! I never turned it off!! Anyway I hope Emsisoft is worth it.
I too was lucky when I purchased Emisoft and ran my first scan; The program didn’t find any problems with my desktop or my laptop…but I do notice that Emisoft is constantly updating and when it suspects a suspicious thing trying to get into your computer, it blocks it. I feel this is a good product, and have not had any complaints.
And if this Leo is getting a kick back from Microsoft, he is most likely not going to report any bad issues. I trust Cloudeight, and would believe them first over anyone else.
I used to listen to Leo on the radio many years ago. I mean many. Skinny kid with google eyed glasses. He was enjoyable to listen to. Don’t subscribe to his newsletter now.
Another test set places MSE / Windows 8 Defender, as the low water mark, just as a high performance audio codec test uses MP3, though occasionally one disgraces itself and scores lower!
MSE has gone from the big hope to the big dope, and while the light weight, no nags, no hassle approach still wins it a few friends, there are considerably better solutions available also free