NOD32 or Microsoft security essentials?

I've been using NOD32 for a couple of years, it's worked well in that time, it's caught a number of viruses and has only let one through. That one it let through was a pain to get rid of though.

Lately when i've been setting up PCs for friends and family i've been putting Microsoft Security Essentials on it, since it's free and presumably works at least ok.

My NOD32 license runs out soon. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether to stick with it or change to MSE?

I have been using Kaspersky Internet Security for a few years now and it kept my computer very clean. My daughter sometimes uses friends laptops with her thumb drive and it's always getting infected. Same with my wife and the college lab computers. I hated paying $50 every year and I switched to MSE a month ago. So far, it's kept my personal PC clean when they use it to print or edit their work. I double check with Dr. Web's free utility (link- if the site is in some other language click English at top right corner).

MSE is not full proof and I've tested it with an old computer on some sites with malware in the advertisements as well as a few known black hat sites. It failed about 10% of the time, but usually only against the most vile stuff. If you don't surf porn sites, warez or use sharing programs like Limewire then you should be OK.

Some tips would be to make sure MSE is updated weekly (there's Optional updates every few days), use Firefox + AdBlock Plus and subscribe to "EasyList" and "EasyPrivacy". Those will kill most ad malware that tries to toss tracking cookies on your computer. Also, disable "Third Party Cookies" in Firefox. If that isn't enough, install NoScript. That way, you can add sites that you know are clean to the white list and let it ban scripts in sites you don't trust.

The one thing that NOD, Kaspersky, Nortons and McAfee's do is add a function called "Sandboxing". Basically, it allows you to run programs (manually or automatically) in their own protected memory space so if something does go wrong it will be contained. If this is for really non-techie people or teenagers, I would stay with a suite. Kids these days are always looking for songs, free movies, using limewire, porn and running all sorts of programs their friends send them. Not to mention, all the top viruses of the past traveled via open ports, not scripts/programs. For the more technical, MSE, Avast! or other free programs will probably be enough. Just whatever you do, do NOT use CA. They're one of the worst out there and rank even below the free solutions.

Thanks Max (that's what i'm going to call you now It's for me, software engineer, I don't do dodgy stuff but i'd prefer good protection. I'll keep an eye on more comments but might stick with NOD, it's not that expensive.

I felt like MSE was a bit piggy. It took a long time to start and update and it was always running processes and thrashing my disk. I went back to AVGfree, which has actually been pretty good in the past.

^ I use MSE but I haven't had those problems...then again, I'm not on Windows very often, so that might be why.

I prefer to use free AV, WOT, and some sense.

I'm a big fan of NOD32. Used it for the last three or four years. Only had one virus sneak in. I have it on all three machines in the house and convinced my parents and siblings to run it also. They have nothing but good things to say about it.

MSE - very happy with it, never had an issue. I moved from NOD32.

I used to use AVG Free but now only use Malwarebytes Pro. I have been known to hit certain sites, but I never have a problem...

AVG free user here for the past 4 years or so. Works great, updated every day too.

I've used freeware AVs for as long as I can remember and got maybe 2 viruses in the last 10 years. I also work at the company that employs a paid AV (McAffee) and I did get a couple viruses there over the years as well. Nothing drastic.

As far as I can tell MSE is great and in my case isn't slow or resource-hungry (Win 7 x 64). Before that I used Avira and I think it was the best AV, however MSE has some additional components and is lighter. If you feel better with a paid solution why don't look at Vipre ?

I have been using NOD32 for 5 years or so and have tested serveral anti-virus programs but NOD32 was best for me. They are well known for their ability to catch unknown viruses which they have got awards for many years. Most anti-virus software are good handling known viruses. You can check out this site for test results of various of anti-virus software: http://www.virusbtn.co​m

In my opinion NOD32 is the best one about catching viruses and cleaning them, and it uses very little resources so it's nice on laptops as well. The best free one I think is Avast.

If you are getting a lot of viruses you might look into why you are getting them and avoid those programs, such as Internet Explorer has been a big problem for a long time when it comes to security and viruses.

For a techy, any of the free options work fine.

For a non techy, I avoid the big boys, and recommend Webroot - I've worked with them in my day job in the past and can attest that their AV protection is as good as anyone elses, their spyware protection is top notch, but most importantly - they have excellent, US based, free technical support that is geared towards the non techy user.

That alone is a life saver - and saved me from many calls from friends and family asking for help

NOD32/Eset Smart Security is a great bit of software, but recently it's been misbehaving. I have been using it for the past 5 years and it's never failed me, but it's getting to be a bit too big. I have MSE on my notebook now that my subscription has expired. I still have time left on my desktop, and am unsure if I will continue.

Sean wrote in post #10545133
NOD32/Eset Smart Security is a great bit of software, but recently it's been misbehaving. I have been using it for the past 5 years and it's never failed me, but it's getting to be a bit too big. I have MSE on my notebook now that my subscription has expired. I still have time left on my desktop, and am unsure if I will continue.

For anti-virus then I think NOD32 is best but you might want to try Comodo Firewall, it's free and uses little resources.

Amamba wrote in post #10533618
If you feel better with a paid solution why don't look at Vipre ?

cool - at least someone else in the universe has heard of the av I run at home!