Microsoft Security Essentials (Previously codenamed Morro) is a free antivirus software created by Microsoft that provides protection against viruses, spyware, rootkits, and trojans for Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
MSE replaces Windows Live OneCare — a subscription antivirus service — and Windows Defender, which only protects users from adware and spyware.
MSE is a small-footprint program ideal for computers that lack processing power or broadband Internet connections, such as netbooks.
It is geared for home use, unlike Microsoft’s upcoming enterprise-oriented product Microsoft Forefront.
Microsoft Security Essentials
Symantec and McAfee, two competing antivirus vendors, responded with criticism, claiming MSE was not comparable with their own offerings. AVG Technologies viewed MSE positively, stating it reinforced the company’s ideal of free antivirus software.
Reviews were mostly positive, citing its organized interface, low resource usage, and the fact it is free.
Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple.
Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.
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October 1st, 2009 at 9:34 am
“Microsoft will block users running counterfeit copies of Windows from installing the free Security Essentials antivirus software, said Alex Kochis, director of Microsoft’s Genuine Windows team, in a post to a company blog.
On-again, off-again debates about the wisdom of blocking security-oriented downloads like patches or defensive software have centered around the argument that Microsoft should protect all users, including pirates, since hijacked PCs threaten the entire Windows ecosystem.
In this case, though, one analyst isn’t buying that line. ‘I can’t see any justification for making Microsoft give away Security Essentials [to counterfeit Windows users],’ said John Pescatore, Gartner’s primary security analyst. ‘Those people have many other choices, including free.
There are plenty of alternatives to Security Essentials,’ he said, adding that that makes a difference. Windows patches, on the other hand, aren’t available from anyone but Microsoft.”
September 25th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Microsoft said on Wednesday that it will make Security Essentials, its free anti-virus software, available to small businesses in October.
The announcement is a u-turn in licensing from earlier this year. Microsoft originally insisted that the product was strictly for home use and OEMs building home retail machines. Microsoft’s change of heart means small businesses will be able to download and install the product on up to 10 PCs in early October.
Microsoft says the reason is due to a change in the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) that allows small business customers to legally download the software onto individually managed business PCs. “This new availability will allow small businesses to take advantage of Microsoft’s no-cost antimalware service that will help them save time, save money and remain productive while protecting them from viruses, spyware and other malicious threats”, wrote Microsoft’s Eric Foster in a blog posting on Wednesday.
Microsoft is currently readying a new version of Security Essentials. An early beta, released in July this year, shows that the future version will include a new protection engine and inspection system. Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is designed to work on Windows XP, Vista and 7 and protects end users against virus threats and spy ware. MSE is Microsoft’s free anti-virus and anti-spyware product that replaced Microsoft’s paid Windows Live OneCare subscription service which was withdrawn last year.