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[Closed] Microsoft Security Essentials

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 PJay
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My Kaspersky Internet Security license is coming up for renewal and I've been looking at MSE instead. I've just installed this on a number of computers at work and it looks a competent virus checker. Since the Windows 7 firewall seems much improved over the XP one (and now monitors inbound and outbound traffic) a completely free Microsoft security solution might be on the cards. However I can't find anything on the MSE site about whether it monitors internet/network traffic and emails (which Kaspersky certainly does). Does anyone have any idea?


 
Posted : 22/02/2012 4:01 pm
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It definitely monitors internet traffic.


 
Posted : 22/02/2012 4:02 pm
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It scans downloaded files and email attachments, yes.

As far as I'm aware it doesn't "monitor internet traffic" as such, but I think we're just arguing semantics here.


 
Posted : 22/02/2012 4:09 pm
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It scans downloaded files and email attachments

it doesn't "monitor internet traffic"

^^ this


 
Posted : 22/02/2012 4:13 pm
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I stand corrected; I just looked it up, the latest version has "Network Inspection System" on NT6 platforms (Vista onwards).

So, the answer to the OP is, "yes."


 
Posted : 22/02/2012 4:16 pm
 PJay
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It certainly looks good for a freebie. Windows Defender is built into Windows 7 (I have it disabled whilst running Kaspersky). Would it be considered defunct with MSE installed or do they complement each other?


 
Posted : 22/02/2012 4:20 pm
 cp
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I'm about to use MSE & Windows firewall after years of third party software. There's a prog which gives you easier & more control over the win 7 firewall - Windows 7 Firewall Control, so you can manage outbound connections.

http://www.sphinx-soft.com/Vista/index.html


 
Posted : 22/02/2012 4:23 pm
 cp
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Defender is anti malware, MSE is antivrus, so they complement each other is my understanding.


 
Posted : 22/02/2012 4:24 pm
 Rio
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If you just download and install MSE it will take care of Defender for you - I haven't looked into it but it seems to keep the defender engine but remove the GUI. But make sure you remove all traces of old AV/firewall etc software first or there will be tears later!


 
Posted : 22/02/2012 4:27 pm
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MSE replaces Windows Defender.

As I understand it, at a technical level MSE is a superset of Defender; MSE contains the MsMpEng anti-malware scanning engine, which is ostensibly Windows Defender.

I haven't looked into it but it seems to keep the defender engine but remove the GUI.

's about the size of it, aye.


 
Posted : 22/02/2012 4:35 pm