Originally posted by Shallow BlueNot sure how you got that summary out of the article. Most Internet users use Windows - hence it needs to be Microsoft centric.
Summarised: "Trust Microsoft. Microsoft is your friend, they have your best interest at heart, and they have a great reputation at protecting your system."
No, thanks.
Richard
-Removed-I wouldn't uninstall it, just make sure you keep it up-to-date (usually this is achieved by a Java updater service that starts with Windows - which I disable because I like a quicker boot) and uninstall any older versions that may be hanging around.
http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/remove_olderversions.xml
I do however, strongly suggest that you do have the NoScript extension running in whatever browser you use.
For FireFox - https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722/
For Chrome - https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/odjhifogjcknibkahlpidmdajjpkkcfn
This allows you to decide what scripts you want executed, including Java and JavaScript. NotScripts for Chrome is still a little crude though.
Flash is a much bigger problem these days, so you want flash content blocked ALWAYS in my view. These script blockers will help you out there.
If you don't like it, at least install a Flash blocker extension in your browser and the AdBlock extension too, while you're at it.
Originally posted by Shallow BlueWell, Windows, as a piece of software, has many security components people might not be completely aware of, so writing how to properly use these is very important.
That does not mean he needs to recommend using MS's own security suite, and similar bells and whistles.
Richard
MS Security Essentials works very well and is very light on resources, so recommending is not 'wrong'. Hell, I recommend it as well as it's probably the best* free anti-virus at the moment.
* Subjective term I know, but from personal experience as well as independent studies confirms that it does the job commendably.