Tag Archives: Microsoft Security Essentials

Another stupid Anti-Malware test?

Posted on February 28, 2014 by halberenson

PC Mag has an article on the latest anti-malware tests by NSS Labs. For this test NSS Labs turned off Microsoft’s SmartScreen because it was too effective, blocking 98-100% of malware. SmartScreen, being in the OS now, works independent of … Continue reading →

Are evaluations of Microsoft Security Essentials unfair?

Posted on December 13, 2012 by halberenson

Microsoft Security Essentials has recently come under some criticism for poor test results. The obvious, or maybe not so obvious, question to ask is how much of this is about the performance of Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) and how much … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Security, Windows | Tagged anti-malware testing, Microsoft Security Essentials, Windows Defender | 26 Comments

Windows 8 Defender

Posted on September 14, 2011 by halberenson

One of the end-user oriented features revealed in yesterday’s BUILD keynote that I’m particularly excited about is the expansion of Windows Defender capabilities. Microsoft has had the limited Defender anti-malware capability built-in to Windows since Vista. Defender, although it uses the same … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Security, Windows | Tagged Anti-Malware, Microsoft Security Essentials, Windows 8, Windows Defender | Comments Off

Internet Security Myths

Posted on July 1, 2011 by halberenson

eWeek recently published a nice article covering survey data that shows user understanding of PC security threats is outdated, which of course may lead to poor security practices. Overall I like the article, but I take issue with what they claim … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Security, Windows | Tagged Anti-Malware, Anti-Virus, eWeek, free Anti-Malware, free Anti-Virus, Microsoft Security Essentials, security myths | Comments Off

Is Symantec also in the Scareware business?

Posted on June 4, 2011 by halberenson

A few weeks ago I wrote about the Adobe/McAfee Security Scan Plus Scareware debacle. Well, Symantec’s faux pas isn’t nearly as bad but I still think they need a slap on the wrist. If you run their free web-based Symantec … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Microsoft, Security | Tagged Anti-Malware, Anti-Virus, Microsoft Security Essentials, Norton, Norton AV, Scareware, Symantec, Symantec Security Check | Comments Off

Why you need more than one Anti-Malware product protecting you

Posted on May 23, 2011 by halberenson

I recently downloaded a file that I knew would be Malware. It was called document.zip and was attached to a piece of mail that allegedly came from someone at FedEx. The email headers were forged, and the mail itself wasn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Security, Windows | Tagged Anti-Malware, Immunet, malware, Microsoft Security Essentials, Multiple AV Engines, Multiple AV Products, Norton AV, Symantec, TrojanDownload:Win32/Chepvil.K, Yahoo | Comments Off

Malware or Not?

Posted on May 19, 2011 by halberenson

I’ve been doing an interesting experiment, in a virtual machine on a separate PC with no personal information at all on it. I’ve been going through SPAM emails and clicking on every link to see what happens. It is an … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet, Phishing, Security | Tagged Anti-Malware, Crazy Slots Casino, Grand Casino, IE9, Immunet, malware, Microsoft Security Essentials, Phishing, SPAM | Comments Off

This one doesn’t count

Posted on April 28, 2011 by halberenson

Right after posting “Time and Malware” I was looking at my blog site on Google’s Webmaster Tools and decided to check out a site that was linking to mine. BLAM! That web site tried to install the Adclicker Trojan on … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer and Internet | Tagged Adclicker, Microsoft Security Essentials | Comments Off