AV Questions – Defender, ESET, Other?

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Hello,

I have a few questions about some issues I am having with my ESET programs running on both my Win 7 laptop (NOD32 Antivirus) and my Win 10 laptop (Pro version, 21H2 – ESET Internet Security program).

I also should note that I did contact ESET support, but have gotten no response from them.

This is a two-prong question, but my first concern is one that occurs on both computers. I occasionally get pop up warnings that ESET either can’t connect, or has limited connectivity to the LiveGrid servers. I am not sure what that even means, but if I disable it — I get dire warnings that my computer is at risk. The link that notice supplies goes into how to enable or add their server to the firewall, but I can’t figure out how to do that. I don’t have a router – I use a hotspot for my internet connection – stand alone device, not my phone).

The main issue – on the Win 10 laptop, for the past two days, my Internet Security program will not open a secure browser window as part of its banking and payment protections – one of the features of the Internet Security program that I wanted to use. I have tried turning the banking protection feature off and on, restarting the laptop, trying a different browser, and it just won’t work anymore.  I’ve made no changes, downloaded no updates or anything that I think could account for it.

I don’t know if this is due to the lack of connection to the Live Grid servers, or if it is something else.

So – my questions at this point – since I am not going to want to pay for another year of ESET if it won’t work, or has these connection issues.

1. If this problem with ESET on the Win 10 laptop “can’t” easily be fixed, how would I go about deleting it and activating Windows Defender? Would using Defender be a good option? And how much updating would be needed to get Defender working – I have never used it on that 2 1/2 year old computer.

2. If I decide to stop using ESET on the Win 7 laptop as well, are there any good free AV replacements that would work on WIn 7,  that I could use instead.

As a side note – in an earlier discussion, it seemed that ESET wasn’t going to continue to support Win 7 – but I never received any notice about that and mine continues to work and update, so not sure it that may be an issue?

I’ll be happy to provide additional information – and answer questions about what I’ve tried so far.

Thanks for the help! Hopefully there will be a solution, but I appreciate information on alternatives as well.

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On the Windows 10 PC, uninstall ESET. Windows Defender should automatically take over. For most users, WD is more than enough for your daily usage. Personally, I use the free Malwarebytes version to scan monthly at a minimum. Sometimes more frequently if I think something may be amiss. Also monthly, I use a free third-party online scan and full WD scan. Since A/V engines often give different results using three different ones with the third-party begin randomly rotated gives different views/opinions. Using this methodology I’ve never had a machine be compromised. NOTE: I’m also pretty good about where I go on the internet and am paranoid about software and attachments on my system.

 

--Joe

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LHiggins

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Thanks for the reply. So, once I’d uninstall ESET, Defender will automatically turn on and take over. How much of an update will I need to bring that up to date, as I’ve never used it and don’t believe that I’ve ever gotten any updates? And will the necessary updates to Defender appear in WuMgr so that I can download them separately from the monthly updates?

Your approach to managing the AV situation sounds logical – and I, too, am pretty careful about where I go and what I access. That was one reason I liked the idea of ESET opening a separate, secure browser window for banking and payments.

Thanks again for the help!

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You may get an update for WD itself. You will surely get at least one update of WD definition. I’m not sure if the definition updates are cumulative. I don’t use wumgr. So, I don’t know if they show up there.

--Joe

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LHiggins

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No reply from ESET to me justifies a no buy (renewal) IMO

1. Just let microsoft deal with their OS together with their OS security on your device/s for Win10. It’s improved over Win8.1 and the years thereafter. Windows Defender is already on your system and ready to protect once ESET is removed as previously has pointed out. BONUS, save yourself some $$ for good measure for that rainy day.

2. Win 7 is fine with MSE, I use it which still gets definition updates although it hardly gets used online and I’m careful where I tread on the interweb when using it. (both Pro versions one with ESUb, the other at EoS which is mostly offline)

As ever, be extra vigilant and careful with emails on Win7 if you use an email client on that OS. (I don’t, all moved to Win8.1 and webmail)

Keeping IT Lean, Clean and Mean!

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LHiggins

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Microfix wrote:

No reply from ESET to me justifies a no buy (renewal) IMO

Yes, pretty annoying that they haven’t even bothered to answer…

Regarding the Win 7 laptop – I haven’t gotten any type of updates since MS stopped supporting it. I have 0Patch installed, and that does update – and I have Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit running, but not Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE??). In fact, I am not sure that I even have it on this laptop – doesn’t seem to be anywhere that I can find. So – I’d need a different security program if I stop using ESET. Or is there a way to still download and use MSE?

Microfix wrote:

As ever, be extra vigilant and careful with emails on Win7 if you use an email client on that OS.

I do have a question about an email client, though. I get email from my local ISP and from Gmail, all of which is accessed through Thunderbird on both laptops. (Windows Live Mail just stopped working on the Win 7 about 6 months ago). Do you mean using caution for attachments, links, etc. – which I do. Would a free AV be a better choice in that case, to scan incoming and outgoing mail from TB?

Thanks for the help and input. Much appreciated!

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MSE Option:

MSE needs to be downloaded from Microsoft and installed:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5201

I would then advise that you download the corresponding up-to-date
definitions so that MSE, once installed, can be updated immediately offline.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/defenderupdates

Microsoft Security Essentials 32-bit | 64bit is the one you want dependant on your OS bitness.

MBAE should work alongside MSE as far as I remember, so no change there.

LHiggins wrote:

Do you mean using caution for attachments, links, etc.

yes I did, good to read that you take those precautions.

TB with MSE, MBAE and 0Patch should be fine for your needs.

Keeping IT Lean, Clean and Mean!

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LHiggins

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[opti1]

LHiggins wrote:

I also should note that I did contact ESET support, but have gotten no response from them.

This is not an attempt to sway you to stay with ESET, but . . .

How did you contact ESET support? If it was NOT via their online discussion forums you may want to give that a try. My experience has been they, or someone in the ESET community, are pretty quick to respond there.

Based on how you describe your problems my guess is this would be the appropriate forum for you to start with:

ESET Internet Security & ESET Smart Security Premium
https://forum.eset.com/forum/23-eset-internet-security-eset-smart-security-premium/

Also, to put things in perspective, I posted a message on the Malwarebytes support forums a week ago and have yet to get any response from them. But I did get a response from one of the community experts there that in the current environment it’s not unusual to have to wait a week to 10 days for Malwarebytes staff to get back to you.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

• This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by opti1. Reason: Clarity

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ve2mrx, LHiggins

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Hi!

I also wanted to point out that ESET was responsive when I opened a ticket with them some time ago, but I have a handful of business licenses (remote management is worth it for me). Using the right channel for support is important as there’s a few unofficial ones.

About support for ESET ending in Windows 7, that is probably going to coïncide with the end of its official support by Microsoft. Just normal, as it shouldn’t be used beyond its expiry date (you are on your own from that point on). ESET supported Windows 7 while the enterprises that missed the deadline moved on to something supported. Once Microsoft permanently pulls the plug on it, ESET support will end like pretty much everything else will stop supporting it. They won’t spend ressources on something obsolete!

Martin

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LHiggins, opti1

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opti1 wrote:

How did you contact ESET support? If it was NOT via their online discussion forums you may want to give that a try.

Thanks! I did use their support form, not the forums, so I will give that a try – thanks for the link. Maybe someone there will be able to help.

ETA: I did just check the support forums for this issue and there are several discussions going on about not being able to connect to Live Grid, so it isn’t an isolated issue. One suggested reinstalling the program – maybe I’ll give that a try and see if it resolves the connection issue at least. Will check more on the secure browser not opening issue also! Thanks for the suggestion!

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By default, Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is not present in Windows 7. It has to be downloaded and installed if you want to use it.

I have just checked and it can still be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center.

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LHiggins

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LHiggins wrote:

I do have a question about an email client, though. I get email from my local ISP and from Gmail, all of which is accessed through Thunderbird on both laptops. (Windows Live Mail just stopped working on the Win 7 about 6 months ago). Do you mean using caution for attachments, links, etc. – which I do. Would a free AV be a better choice in that case, to scan incoming and outgoing mail from TB?

@lhiggins, if you wish to use an email client on Windows 7, then you may be better off with a paid AV solution than a free one. A paid AV will typically include features, such as a spam filter and email scanning, that a free AV may not. Whichever free AV you consider, make sure to check if the feature set includes any kind of email protection. (I’m not sure if MSE includes email features specifically.)

Regarding which free AV to use for your Win7 box, up until last month I would have recommended BitDefender Free, which I was very happy with on the machine that I’m typing this on. The problem is that BD no longer offers BD Free for download. That said, when making the announcement they offered me a 5-device subscription to BD Total Security for $9.98 and I took it, and everything’s good so far.

Choices for free AV are narrowing in general, and for Windows 7 in particular as that venerable OS gets further past its EOS date. One of my Vista systems has Panda Free Antivirus on it and I have no complaints. Another Vista box has eScan ISS installed and, while the product works well, it’s not free and I should note that it’s a bit more enterprise- or techie-oriented. (The company also offers both a simpler and a more comprehensive AV than the middle-of-the-road Internet Security Suite that I use.)

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

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LHiggins

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Thanks for the reply. Up until I renewed my ESET subscription last year, I was pleased with it for my Win 7 laptop. It worked well, and I never got that LiveGrid message. When I renewed, and added the Win 10 laptop as well, that was when I started getting that message – which is always annoying as I am not sure why or what the consequences are. And, as things usually go – since I posted this question, it hasn’t happened on either laptop – LOL!

As to the banking feature not working on the Win 10 laptop – that is also annoying, but the program does seem to be running otherwise.

Guess I need to look into alternatives and see if I can find out what is causing these issues and possibly get them fixed. Glad Bit Defender worked out for you – I’ll look into that as well as it may be more affordable than ESET.

Thanks again!

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Cybertooth

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hello, thunderbird provides an option to scan email using MSE for Windows 7
https://www.safetydetectives.com/blog/how-to-scan-email-attachments-for-viruses-and-protect-your-devices/

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LHiggins

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ve2mrx wrote:

About support for ESET ending in Windows 7, that is probably going to coïncide with the end of its official support by Microsoft.

Going to the source, here’s what ESET has to say on that topic:

[KB7385] Microsoft Windows 7 end of support and ESET products

https://support.eset.com/en/kb7385-microsoft-windows-7-end-of-support-and-eset-products

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LHiggins

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Just to update this question…I did finally get a reply from ESET and was told to contact them through CHAT, which I did. The rep told me that the ongoing LiveGrid connection issues are due to an issue with my internet connection, and said to contact my service provider. Probably not going to get anywhere with that – it is T-Mobile, and I doubt that they can do anything to correct that problem.

He did say that the connection doesn’t affect how the program works, just something with this Live Grid feature, which doesn’t appear to be integral to the working of ESET protection.

As to the issue with a secure browser not opening – the rep said to reinstall my product and gave me links with instructions. So, I guess when and if that happens again, I’ll look into that reinstall.

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions. Hopefully this issue will resolve itself and ESET will continue to work.

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Hi!

Yes, Live Grid is the online portion of the antivirus, similar to the Microsoft Smartscreen feature that asks online servers for file/download/attachment safety. This feature is in addition to regular antivirus protection, especially useful for new threats.

I recommend you check your firewall settings, or to reinstall. Reinstalling usually fixes the Windows firewall (unless you use an ESET product that includes one, in that case it is replaced). Live Grid (and its bigger brother ESET Dynamic Endpoint Protection) are very useful for detecting newly emerging threats.

Martin

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LHiggins

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ve2mrx wrote:

I recommend you check your firewall settings

Thanks! Not sure which firewall I’m using, but what would I be checking for, and what changes should be made to allow Live Grid to function?

 

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Go to Windows Security and check the Firewall section. It probably says you have ESET. Either way, you don’t need to do anything to allow Live Grid.

cheers, Paul

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LHiggins

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