Microsoft Security Essentials

[Dare]

Has anyone tried this and your opinions if you have

I have it installed now and I wonder how effective it is?

[Canada Darrell™]

I use it and the latest version 2 was only just recently released. It gets great reviews from many sources and I have not had any issues. I install it on every clients machine i work on. It surprises me how many people actually still pay for virus protection when something this good is absolutely free.

Cheers

[Dare]

thanks Darrell I had been using AVG and when I
switched to Essentials it found 3 threats  AVG missed
on the first scan.Whether it was a actual threat or
a false postive I'm not sure

[David]

Will this actually replace an off the shelf security package? I recently purchased Kaspersky 2011 which seems to be good and has picked up a few things, but it costs.

[Dare]

I read the reviews before I installed it Dave and it got top
reviews.Yours is a top rated one too and I had Vibre before and
never had any problems.I'm in the mind sink though if you pay
for it it has to be better

[Canada Darrell™]

Will this actually replace an off the shelf security package? I recently purchased Kaspersky 2011 which seems to be good and has picked up a few things, but it costs.

Yes, it will replace a $$$ security package. Lifehacker (btw everyone, Lifehacker is pretty much one of those MUST read daily websites! ) has a good writeup on it:

http://lifehacker.com/5714508/microsoft-security-essentials-2-released-still-the-best-darn-antivirus-around

[David]

Might seem like a daft question, but if you were to run this along side another security program would it enhance security or would they conflict with each other?

[Canada Darrell™]

It is never recommended to run more than one antivirus engine at once. I'd be willing to bet that I hammer on the internet more than your average user and I don't have problems with using just Microsoft Security Essentials along with their own Microsoft Defender.
The things that get most people in trouble, and I do this as a very poorly paying side gig  , is spending time on Torrent Sites and other file sharing systems such a Limewire. Using any of these types of sites is like playing russian roulette. Eventually you are going to get a nasty file disguised as "naked Britney" (or whatnot) or getting a cease-and-desist letter from the MPAA or RIAA via your ISP.
The other thing that gets a lot of people is those STUPID emails from your friends. We all have at least one person that sends out a dozen emails a day clogging our inboxes of jokes and links. I request to be taken off their lists and barring that their emails go to the permanent delete bin before I get a chance to even see it.