Please rate my antivirus setup(MSE+Avast)

Hello im new here, I just want to know if my antivirus setup is good…

my main AV is Microsoft Security Essentials because based on my experience it has better real-time protection over avast8 free.
(I tested it using the eicar test file, turned of the shields for a minute…I put it in the recycle bin(RB), and if I browse the RB even for the first time, MSE detects it automatically while Avast doesnt.

my second AV is Avast 8 free (compatible mode) I only installed (1)mail shield, (2)network shield and (3)IM shield because MSE doesnt have those features

NOTE: I am certainly aware that running two AV will not slow down my computer… the one that causes slow down is two AV having real-time protection both activated. I already put my AV directory in the exclusion lists of both security programs and had certain tweaks regarding their processes to avoid conflicts… I am using them now for 3 months and still doesn’t give me weird warnings and blue screen of death.I am certain that what I’ve done is correct.

I also installed USB Disk Security (latest version) for autorun and other common flashdrive viruses(shortcut,recycler,etc)

On the other hand, my default browser is google chrome (with 2 extensions namely avast adblock and toomanytabs)

my system optimizer is tuneup utilities 2013 (I am in turbo mode)

Im running windows 7 ultimate 32bit, 2,00 GB ram, Intel Pentium 1.87 GHz

Things to consider:

  1. my applications are always up to date thanks to avast software updater
  2. I am always connected to internet on weekdays and offline on weekends.
  3. I am a massive torrent/mediafire/tutsfire downloader.
  4. I sometimes browse adult sites
  5. I am a computer engineer/programmer, sometimes my friends tell me to fix/recover their files from flashdrives

I just want to be criticized by the experts :slight_smile: I know im not that experienced enough but I just want to hear your side about my security setup…Thank you for your comments/suggestions/reactions… they are all well appreciated specially if they are addressed properly and politely :slight_smile:

Personally I would get rid of MSE as it’s detection rate is so poor that many AV testing companies don’t even include it anymore and install the full features of avast, for second opinion scans install Malwarebytes and for USB scanning MCShield is the best imo.

It sounds more like “I’m looking for views to this topic” by stating a situation that is sure to arouse most of the avast! users.
Your analogy of testing the effectiveness of an antivirus program holds no merit.
Any search for a comparison between avast! and MSE shows the actual facts.
Don’t look at posts in either forum since both will favor their own product.
lifehacker is an excellent source and shows both strength and weaknesses of both products and many other free products:
http://lifehacker.com/5865356/the-best-antivirus-app-for-windows

avast! is also your best choice for protecting your Android Smart phone and tablet:

https://blog.avast.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pcmag_blog-300x300.jpg

See my sig. for my setup.

You can’t go wrong with avast! Free or Bitdefnder Free.

Thankyou for your criticisms, and for my reply to a comment earlier, I didn’t even have android phones…just a laptop :slight_smile:

i had read the link from lifehacker (although it has creepy name i still read it ::))

“MSE is still one of the best designed antivirus programs out there, in our opinion—it’s so easy to use, even the most tech-unsavvy person could figure it out pretty quickly. However, while it was once considered competitive with other offerings, most antivirus tests show that it has fallen behind on its ability to detect viruses. It’s great at removing them, but if it only detects some of the malware out there, we don’t feel comfortable recommending it as our #1.” - lifehacker

so formerly MSE is #1? to that fact, MSE is a good choice already.

so guys my point is this:
I use MSE for the real time protection ONLY because it detects virus automatically… unlike avast that needs quick(or full or boot-time) scan to detect malware… (it is all based on my experience… and take note: I use avast scans over mse scans because it is a lot faster. I even removed MSE scan in my right-click menu)

also the reason why I changed avast from my main AV to a supporting AV because I read this. it is from eugine kaspersky of kaspersky AV:
link: http://eugene.kaspersky.com/2013/08/01/protection-against-bootkits/

http://eugene.kaspersky.com/files/2013/07/table_AV_EN-600x203.png

it shows Avast and MSE detects two different rootkit. I do not have money to buy kaspersky… I already tried it, its good but it scanning eats too much ram. So to make the long story short… my security setup can detect 4 different rootkits, unlike users using Avast only,…detects 2 rootkits only :slight_smile:

as for your signature… your pc has 8gb of ram…good enough to handle those too many security programs. Mine only has 2gb of ram and Intel pentium 1.87GHz only…

I think you’ll find MSE’s rating was really only for it’s simplicity, it’s detection rate is and has always been poor.

Here are some more recent and legitimate test reviews from AV-Test ORG and AV-Comparatives http://chart.av-comparatives.org/chart1.php

so formerly MSE is #1? to that fact, MSE is a good choice already.
I guess when you come here and your mind is already made up, you're willing to grab at any straw to try and prove your point. Even when your argument is totally flawed. You're at the wrong place if you intend to convert any of us to accept lesser protection. :)

Well said Bob. Nothing to add.

:o

i just downloaded and install avast IS :slight_smile:
now it’s my main AV together with MCShield (im just trying this…) and MBAM Pro

A wise choice :), don’t forget to exclude avast and MBAM from each other.

but guys I think MCShield is not that great… USB Disk Security is a lot better :slight_smile: so Ill change it again…Lol. Thanks for the help…

That’s your choice, we are only giving the protection results from the testing of these products by many of the malware team experts and MCShield catches malware ( worms ) that is particularly sneaky at evading anti-viruses.

how about for chrome’s adds-on? what adds on does you recommend? I am using avast adblock + zenmate chrome + bitdefender traffic light

I don’t use Chrome so someone else maybe able to help you with that.

See signature :slight_smile:

avast plus MalwareBytes plus a good firewall with HIPS.
Chrome add-ons…AdBlock Plus, Do Not Track Me, Web of Trust and Virus Total.

HIPS explained http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/hips-explained.htm
Free firewall reviews http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-firewall.htm :slight_smile:

Avast has AdBlocker, which is AdBlock Plus under the logo of avast ;)(it is powered by AdBlock Plus)

Edit: i would like to share some useful link with you:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/probably-best-free-security-list-world.htm
http://www.selectrealsecurity.com/security-guide

[quote="Para-Noid post:18, topic:684444"] Chrome add-ons...[b]AdBlock Plus[/b], Do Not Track Me, Web of Trust and Virus Total. [/quote] Avast has AdBlocker, which is AdBlock Plus under the logo of avast ;)(it is powered by AdBlock Plus)

Not entirely accurate, in that it isn’t “AdBlock Plus under the logo of avast” in fact if avast sees you have the firefox AdBlock Plus add-n already installed then avast won’t install AdBlocker. Not only that, I feel that AdBlock Plus is more configurable allowing for the addition of more filters.