Expert: Keith Davis - 1/30/2010

Question
I am considering buying 2 new computers and installing Windows Security Essentials which hopefully will be able to scan my Hotmail and Google emails. I read that most of the time, computers are infected through email so it is vital that emails are scanned the moment they arrive in the Inbox.

Would you happen to know whether Microsoft’s Windows Security Essentials can automatically scan emails from both HOTMAIL and GOOGLEMAIL ?

If so, how do I configure the program to do this ?

According to the British Consumer Magazine Which?, Microsoft’s Windows Security Essentials, which replaces Microsoft Live OneCare and Windows Defender software, is a strong performer. It has tested it along with Norton and Avira and it actually came up almost top performer, only second to Norton.

It’s free to download, works with XP, Vista or Windows 7. As it’s designed by Microsoft it integrates extremely well with Windows operating system.

It offers antivirus and antispyware protection, and works alongside Windows features, such as the firewall, to provide all-round protection. Which? expert report says that the combination of Security Essentials with Windows Vista or Windows 7 is a particularly powerful one that offers a strong alternative to paid-for packages.

I would like to get in touch with the Microsoft forum that specializes in Microsoft’s Windows Security Essentials. Can you give me the link for this forum please ?

Thank you.

Answer
I have never used Windows Security Essentials. I will explain why. For approx. 10 years now I have been virus free and have been spyware free for 8 years. Microsoft is great and I do not want to sound negative toward them. I have used their operating systems from Windows 95 to present. MS should stick to operating systems and keeping patches up to date and leave security to third party vendors. They have yet to come out with a secure browser. Down through the years, according to what OS I was using at the time, I have had several combinations of internet browsers, anti-spyware and anti-malware programs, and firewalls that have kept my network and PCs secure.

1. Browser- Mozilla Firefox ( www.mozilla.org )- the most secure browser I've ever used. It is free and has many security add-ons.
2. Anti-Virus- AVG free edition ( http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html ). The best anti-virus I've ever used. Beats the paid versions.
3. Spybot Search and Destroy (without teatimer) ( www.safer-networking.org ) real time protection from anything but viruses. If you decide to use get back with me and I will give you detailed instructions on how to set it up.
4. Malwarebytes- ( www.malwarebytes.org )- manual scanning for problems. The best spyware detection and removal program I've ever used. It is free. The paid version enables automation (auto update, scan, and removal of problems).
5. The firewalls that come with Vista and Win7 are good enough. If you have an earlier OS use ZoneAlarm firewall. Use the free version. Google for the link.

Let me know if I can help you further.