Last Tuesday Microsoft released the final version of its free antivirus solution, Microsoft Security Essentials. Formerly codenamed Morro, it has been in beta since June and is meant to eclipse Windows Defender and Windows Live OneCare. Microsoft maintains that it will not compete with more comprehensive subscription services such as those by Symantec and McAfee. This free solution is for consumers who are unable or unwilling to pay for security software. It will be interesting to see if Microsoft finds a way to package this software with Windows without opening themselves up to more lawsuits.
The download is small and the installation is fairly typical, though it does require a Windows Genuine Advantage check and switches Windows Update into automatic mode. The interface is clean and easy to understand, using green and red bars to indicate status. I didn’t go looking for viruses to test its real time protection, but the reviews I’ve read give Security Essentials decent marks for threat detection.
Overall it offers a base level of protection and you can't beat the price.
Keep Connected + Keep Secure + Keep Working
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