MSE Definition Updates

[JD]

I've installed Security Essentials, and changed the automatic scan from
Sunday at 2:00 AM to 2:00 PM because I know the computer will always be ON
at that time.
What I'm not seeing is any info about the definition updates. I assume they
should be downloaded daily. Is this process "automatic"? Is it scheduled? If
so, how?
Specifically, regarding both updates and auto scans, does someone have to be
logged on at the time or is it only necessary that the computer be on, and
connected to the Internet?

 

[JD]

I'd like to know whether MSE signature updates work like Windows Defender,
via Windows Update. I was notified that updates were available and I could
download download and install them on demand. Can I forego the automatic
scans, receive updates as available, and run full or quick scans whenever
I'm so inclined?
Herewith are four posts I've read recently regarding MSE updates. The
apparent contradictions leave me asea:
1. Poster's name forgotten: MSE only checks for virus & spyware definition
updates prior to running a system scan, so be sure that the scheduled scan
is realistic.
2. Ron Hirsch: MSE has updates daily, and has a smaller footprint than AVG.
3. Bruce Hagen: It will give you updates as they are available. You can do
Quick or Full scans manually and set a time & day to run scans if you wish.
4. Smirnoff: I have MS updates set to "Notify but not download or install."
However, MSE definition updates install automatically. If I look at "Review
update history" in MS updates under "Source," it tells me that these are
from "Other source" (i.e. not Microsoft update or automatic update"). In my
case, MSE updates daily about 10 minutes after boot up. If it finds a file
that it isn't sure of, it will call for the latest definition updates at ANY
time. There is no need to set MS updates to automatic, I am still only
informed of normal/critical updates as my setting requests.

 

[Smirnoff]

2, 3 and 4 are correct. Weekly auto scan is a default but only takes a few
minutes after initial install scan. Yes, the computer has to be on.

There is also a manual update option but I have not found it necessary to
use it.

 

[Smirnoff]

Correction: Weekly scans CAN be turned off by de-selecting the option.
However, as stated, they only take a few minutes.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Ask such questions here:

MSE Support Forums
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/mse

Better yet, do a little reading and see if your questions have already been
answered...

MSE Definitions/Signatures Update FAQ:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com...e/thread/74e507b8-f6da-4eca-8ce7-d1aca7d3f1ba

 

[JD]

Thanks. I had been unclear that the signature updates are automatic and not
an "option."

 

[JD]

Well, as Steve Martin used to say, "Ex-c-u-u-se Me!" I thought that this was
a forum for asking such questions.

 

[Smirnoff]

You're welcome.

By the way, referring to your other thread "Windows Automatic Updates".

Although MSE doesn't need MS Updates set to automatic download and install
to retrieve definitions (Notify is adequate), it does need MS Updates rather
that Windows Update.

 

[Smirnoff]

My mistake, I was confusing it with Windows Server Update Service. Windows
Update should be OK.

 

[VanguardLH]

PA Bear wrote ...


Well, as Steve Martin used to say, "Ex-c-u-u-se Me!" I thought that this was
a forum for asking such questions.

And there is a problem with someone telling you where exists a community
more focused on the product with which you are asking for help? You even
got pointed to an article that gave some good details on how the auto-update
process works for MSE.

Geez, you're going to need a hell of a thicker skin on your over-sensitive
ego to survive in Usenet. Don't seek help if it's "that time of the month"
for you.

 

[VanguardLH]

I've installed Security Essentials, and changed the automatic scan from
Sunday at 2:00 AM to 2:00 PM because I know the computer will always be ON
at that time.
What I'm not seeing is any info about the definition updates. I assume they
should be downloaded daily. Is this process "automatic"? Is it scheduled? If
so, how?
Specifically, regarding both updates and auto scans, does someone have to be
logged on at the time or is it only necessary that the computer be on, and
connected to the Internet?

MSE had a problem that it did *not* perform its automatic updates. That
means you could be running MSE with outdated signatures. The only way to
ensure that MSE got updates was to schedule a daily scan AND enable the
option to check for updates before doing that scan. That problem existed
and has been reported many times and is a recognized defect in this product.
That problem was known back around mid-October 2009 so I don't know if they
got around to fixing their auto-update yet. Because of this defect, I gave
up on my trial of MSE and haven't bothered retesting it since.

If the problem has not yet been fixed, schedule MSE to perform a *daily*
scan and enable the option to check for an update before starting the scan.

 

[JD]

You're right, of course. Mea culpa, and my apologies to Pa Bear, who has, in
point of fact, been very helpful to me in the past. I plead "stress."

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

No, this is a WinXP-specific /newsgroup/ and if you'd asked about Norton
AntiVirus, I would have suggested you post your questions here instead:
http://community.norton.com/