Microsoft Security Essentials

It installs Spynet onto your computer which sends information to Microsoft about file behavior, including any software Security Essentials it suspects is pirated (which for me is no big thing). It also warns users that personal data might be "accidentally" sent to Microsoft (which is a big thing).

I don't know what sort of data Spynet gives Microsoft but without an opt out choice I can't see myself installing it. There are better less intrusive options out there.

Is this true?

This post seems a bit tinfoil-hatish.

Linky?  Otherwise this,

Spynet is also in Defender, and the likelihood of it sending anything all that interesting is extremely low.

So it's both true and 'tinfoil-hatish'.  Any data sent is encrypted and unlikely to be seen by anyone but Microsoft.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/privacy.aspx?mkt=en-us

U have to be doing something interesting for it to send something interesting.

Such a way with words!!   

Not that I've seen.  Every free option I've seen either has a horrid interface, intrudes into your system enough to break things, or just nags you to buy things.  All three are major negatives to me.

I actually paid for AVG because I respected their free version, and I wish I hadn't.  I only grew more and more disappointed with it.

"As a “basic” member of SpyNet, Microsoft Security Essentials will automatically send information to Microsoft to help Microsoft determine which software to investigate for potential threats and to help improve Microsoft Security Essentials' effectiveness."

The ability to send file information from your computer helps Microsoft fight adware,spyware etc... and is no big issue if you don't mind Microsoft taking information about your files. I just wish there was a choice not to have spynet on your computer.

Ticks all the most important bits, then....;)

And even if you had a driveful of (regular) porn, I don't think MS would give a sh!t.

For MS to act on (pass on) information it received, it would have to be very, very illegal... as in kiddy porn and/or terrorist related stuff. 

The piracy of MS/partners software (if/when detected) would also raise a red flag, I guess, but other than that, MS isn't likely to be interested.

Besides, how many Microsoft employees/human eyes are actually going to see all this data??  Probably few, if any!  Most likely it will all be scanned/detected by software components and seen only when troublesome and persistent red flags pop up. 

So unless one is doing something profoundly wrong/illegal, there should be few or no worries.

Hopefully, Spynet will be able to collect data on the proliferators of internrt nasties... and action is then taken against them.

Now for kona's cue......

I'd have trouble trusting this Spynet if it were a Google thing, however.

..... come in kona. 

Who mentioned porn?

I thought Google was a spynet starkers!!   

I did.... how naughty of me.

The thing is, I can't see MS paying hundreds of people to sift through umpteen trillions of bits of data to see who's looking at what.... and a few smutty pics/videos aren't likely to get Spynet popping up red flags unless they're infected/tainted by malware.

The funny thing is, I'm usually up for a conspiracy theory and recommending getting out the tinfoil hats... but not this time. 

I must be slipping/mellowing out in my old age.

Slipped in this little gem while I was posting...

How right you are.... took the words right out of my mouth.

I'm glad you did, though... takes some of the attention away from me.  Now mine won't be the only place those menacingly looking men in black stand menacingly outside of when they come around to do Google Maps.

Yeah, why not!  They only look menacing.... but underneath those suits and dark glasses they're just big pussy cats.

Well I, for one, am not installing Skynet on my computer; I've seen those Terminator movies!

Man, I try to be serious for once and look what I get

Lots of Mountain Dew.  Lots.

So uhh, back on topic, I did edit that out of my post soon after I made it.  I know it sends some things automagically.  But it still doesn't seem worth even mentioning.

I had a drive full of semi-irregular porn, and they wanted a 'sample'....suspicious.     But I deleted it all recently in an effort to try taking life seriously.

Slowed my computer down SERIOUSLY.

Prob a good app, but no thanks...impossibly slow.

First time I've ever heard that.  It's far better performing than anything else I've used.

*ponder*

Skynent/Spynet... um, two different things, I think... but I know what you mean.  One day Spynet is well-intentioned and working for the greater good, catching malware and its proliferators, the next it is taking over.  The machines we place all our trust in won't just be hunting nasties anymore.... article writers, bloggers and forum comedians will also be on the hit list.  Nobody will be safe... unless they're 3-parts bionic, have artificial intelligence and run on a pint of Castrol.

Well you didn't come to the asylum and expect everyone to be serious, did you? 

Never mind, I have for sale a slightly used... orright, it has been used extensively, strait jacket for future visits, should you feel the need.... only $250 plus S*H.

Semi-irregular porn????   Didn't know there was such an animal....   I thought... er, heard it was either regular or irregular.  So, does this semi-irregular porn cost more because it's off the beaten track... or less because they have livestock and fewer actors to pay?

Did I just ask that?  Never mind... didn't wanna know, I was only asking.

As for Spynet wanting a sample, it's not likely anyone knew or saw what was on the drive, It's more likely that the Spynet software was assessing file types for viral/malware vulnerabilities, etc.... as in it needs to know what its dealing with to fight the good fight.

I must commend you on deleting all that semi-irregular porn... though perhaps you could have sent me some samples first... purely for research purposes, of course.

Hm only reason I could imagine is You installed it side by side to another AV product. That one is a 'no go', no matter what apps You use. But just a guess.

Thanx, c242. Had uninstalled Avast before installing M$E...nope. Thanx for thinking about the problem. 

If I've told you once I've told you a dozen or more times... that PC you have with the hamster wheel to power it just ain't gonna cut it with today's apps.  Yeah, I know, old folk ain't accustomed to change and hang on to the old stuff, but if Noah can move on (he's considering an inboard diesel for the next Ark) so can you.

Now I know that you have your fave store, but look, they're only gonna sell you a glorified abacus, so please go someplace else and get a real PC... one that at least runs off 'lectric.