I was skeptical of them for a long time (ever since Zone Labs got bought by Check Point, really), but I lost all respect for them when they had a string of
things like this last year.
Computer security firms walk a fine line between legitimate services and shady protection rackets. And, the public (free) release of MSSE has largely driven them to sink lower and lower into terrible marketing methods that are only a shade above "real scareware".
I don't know. MSSE is quite good, friendly on the system resources, generally well-behaved, and supported by Microsoft. For a firewall, if you want good protection, there are plenty of simple ways to turn an old PC into a good stateful firewall, and the software firewall built into Windows 7 isn't too shabby either (if updated and run behind a NAT as most people do). I run an Astaro Security Gateway (free for home use) on an old Athlon XP motherboard that has been going strong for years. It is powerful, relatively easy to use (compared to pfsense or whatever) and easy to keep updated. I'm very pleased with that solution, plus MSSE and the Windows firewall where appropriate. There are lots of other options for "firewall on a disc" type systems, and even if you don't have one, it is easy and
cheap to pick up an old PC on Craig's List or whatever.
