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Let’s post some actual numbers, shall we?
On my 32bit Windows 7 computer, running MSE: 2516KB memory usage
On my 32bit Windows XP computer, runing Symantec Endpoint Protection (ver 11.0): 3 processes totalling 13616KB memory usage

Now, that’s the Symantec corporate edition, (not including Network Access Control.) It’s a lot less bloated than Norton.

Anyone care to post number for Norton’s usage? Be sure to include all the included bells and whistles.
Also, can someone post memory usage for SuperAntiSpyware?

As for effectiveness: Microsoft Scores better on VB100 than competitors
Now, before you go saying “forefront is not security essentials”, let me point out that MSE is the same engine as Forefront 2.0 (which is delayed until November 2010 due to management server integration.)

Those numbers dont mean anything. NIS2010 uses more than 2516KB, but its the lightest AV on the market right now. Eset NOD32 is at 91,000KB on my laptop. Also lighter and snappier in terms of usage than MSE.

If anything this proves my exact point. Its only strong point is its resource management. Its not even that good at that.

VB100’s list also includes Avast, AVG, Avira Personal, all of which have better detection rates over MSE and are all also free.

”Horrible”? Where was that?

It’s a nice enough post, but mentioning it in every thread seems like spamming.

Maybe I should have used a better word rather than horrible. Its sub par compared to other free products out there. SuperAntispyware and MBAM are just a few that are better and also free. As for free AVs Avast has better detection rates as well as Avira Antivir Free.

Im just simply helping out. It has all the information the OP needs to make an informed decision on his security setup.

If included the screenshots which place Avast, Avira, AVG, and other free AV solutions over MSE.

Id ditch Spybot S&D for MBAM. Its a great choice. MBAM has a much better detection rate. The only plus side of Spybot is its Immunize feature. However there is now a program called Spyware Blaster that is basically a standalone program that does the same exact thing the Immunize feature did. Now you can have the Immunize feature as well as a top notch Antispyware solution by going to MBAM and SB.

Its a good heads up and one we should all be aware of. Avast has great detection rates for a free AV solution, while Adaware isnt as good as it used to be.

Chromes EULA is a big misfortune for the software and has actually deterred users away simply for security purposes.

IE can be just as safe as any other browser if you take the proper precautions. Having bundled Avast and Adaware with Chrome just deters me away from both softwares.

With Avast having better detections that it previously has is a good thing, but all AV and antispyware solutions aim to do just that. There are better programs out there that are free as well that dont come bundled with unnecessary software.

Especially Norton and to an extent, Spyware Doctor, tend to gobble lots of RAM and CPU cycles. They are resource hogs. Uninstall both and go with MSE for both AV and Malware protection. I would suggest an uninstaller called REVO Uninstaller. This roots out all the garbage the products uninstallers leave behind. REVO has some of the best recommendations I have ever read, and it’s FREE!!!!
Ted

Perhaps you havent played with NIS2010. Its extremely light on resources and a top tier antivirus solution this time around.

MSE has earned horrible ratings in detection, but excels in its resource usage. Id rather be protected than keep my resources.

Not one single AV or Antimalware program has 100% detection which is why its better to go with a multilayered security setup. MSE will miss alot of stuff that NIS and SD or another antispyware app will detect.

I also would urge you to stay away from Spyware Doctor as well. SD is scare ware. With its free trial it claims more spyware is present than there actually is. It scares you into thinking you need it to be safe when in reality you dont. There are much better and lighter alternatives. For a better alternative check out MBAM (Malware Bytes Antimalware) or SAS (Super Anti Spyware). Both have top notch detection and MBAM offers a free version.

For which AV and antispyware app you should choose have a look here in this thread:

http://lounge.windowssecrets.com/index.php?showtopic=769764

Windows 7 Firewall do exactly what you want. It may not be easily configured. But like DR Green has recommended Windows7 Firewall Control makes it alot easier. I was using it up until 2 days ago when I decided that I wanted HIPs protection as well. Windows 7 Firewall isnt third party software based so your guaranteed maximum compatibility with your Windows OS and other Windows based programs. Your also not giving up un-needed resources.

If your still opposed to Win7 Firewall consider reading this thread Ive created here to help novices out like you:

http://lounge.windowssecrets.com/index.php?showtopic=769764

If you want just a basic light firewall check out Look’N’Stop, Rising Firewall, and the one Im using now PC Tools Firewall Free. PC Tools is very light on system resources and earned the best possible rating at Matousecs proactive defense testing. They all play nicely with Avira. I was using Avira as well before I switched to NOD32. I still use Avira Free on my wifes laptop along with the Windows 7 FW.

KIS and KAV are great. OP are you sure you werent installing the security suite which also has a firewall? That may have been your problem. I had ZA Pro and KAV installed side by side and the installation never made a mention of ZA Pro.

For Kaysee Ryan and others who are interested in KIS or KAV I compiled a nice little resource for the lounge here. Take a look:

http://lounge.windowssecrets.com/index.php?showtopic=769764

Thanks for the input. I hope this turns into the best freeware thread on the net.

KMPlayer
http://kmplayer.en.softonic.com/
Another open source media player that has a wide range of video and audio codecs that it can play.

Kantaris
http://www.kantaris.org/
Another open source media player that was built off of VLCs code.

Audio Identifier
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/…Identifier.htm
Audio Identifier is a FREE audio inspector. You can browse through your audio collection with it and it will show you useful information, like average bitrate, used encoder and settings, guessed quality etc.

Basically it analyzes your music and tells you the format and the bitrate. Great for burning high quality CDs.

CD BurnerXP
http://cdburnerxp.se/
Free CD/DVD Burner that can also burn blu-ray discs and HD DVD as well as ISO files.

iWisoft Free Video Converter
http://www.easy-video-converter.com/index.html
iWisoft Free Video Converter can fast convert videos between all popular formats like AVI, MPEG, WMV, DivX, XviD, MP4, H.264/AVC, AVCHD, FLV, MKV, RM, MOV, 3GP, and audio MP3, WMA, WAV, RA, M4A, AAC, AC3, OGG. Directly convert video for playback on your PSP, iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, PS3, Xbox, Zune, Creative Zen, Archos and other digital multimedia devices.

Its a free version of Xilisofts Video Converter. It has the same user interface.

SpeedyFox
http://www.crystalidea.com/speedyfox
Firefox is a fast browser, but with the lapse of time it starts working much slowly. The reason is fragmentation of profile databases. A free tool SpeedyFox is designed specially to resolve that problem. The method used in SpeedyFox is 100% safe for your profile (e.g. bookmars, passwords, etc), it’s well documented and tested on many computers.

Disc Cleaner
http://www.diskcleaner.nl/index.php
Disk Cleaner is a free open source (GPL v2) tool to quickly and easily clean your hard disk from temporary files like those in the system temporary folder, the Internet Explorer Cache and Cookies folder, and the Recycle Bin. Disk Cleaner is absolutely free from adware and spyware.

nCleaner
http://www.nkprods.com/ncleaner/
nCleaner contains an advanced system and application cleaner with over 90 cleaning items available, a Registry Cleaner, a Tweak Manager, an advanced Startup Manager, a Junk Finder, a Free Space Shredder, a System Resource Monitor, a System Adviser, supports logging and statistics as well as advanced Scheduling.

Better than CCleaner I think.

CCleaner
http://www.ccleaner.com/
CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space.

Restoration
http://www.aumha.org/freeware/freeware.php#restore
One of the best file recovery softwares available and its open source and free. Much better than Recuva from Piriform programmers.

Recuva
http://www.piriform.com/recuva
Another free tool to recover lost or deleted files.

Speccy
http://www.piriform.com/speccy
Speccy is an advanced System Information tool for your PC. We’re still bug fixing, but have just released a Public BETA version for you to download! It monitors temps, processes, services, etc. Much like Everest, but FREE!

Try Foxit reader: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/

Works fine for me on 32 bit system. Can’t see why it wouldn’t work on a 64 bit version.

Jim

I use Foxit on my system. Im running Win 7 x64 Pro. Works much better than Adobe. Its also alot lighter.

I also use Daemon Tools Lite in Win 7 x64 Pro. Ive tried Alcohol 120%, but that just crashed to a BSOD. DTL runs perfect with no hiccups what so ever.