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Microsoft Security Essentials launching today

by Parm Mann on 29 September 2009, 11:10

Tags: Security Essentials, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)

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Just days ago, Microsoft revealed that its freeware anti-malware solution, Microsoft Security Essentials, would be made available to the public in "the coming weeks". Turns out the Redmond-based software giant wasn't kidding, as Microsoft Security Essentials is armed, prepped and ready to launch later today.

The software, first announced under the codename of Morro earlier this year, was made available to select users in June as part of a limited beta. Microsoft describes Security Essentials as a "no-cost, core anti-malware service that helps protect consumers against viruses, spyware and other malicious software", adding that the software is "designed to run quietly in the background alerting users only when there is an action for them to take".

Although a specific launch time hasn't been specified, Microsoft states that its Security Essentials software will be available to download from Microsoft.com/Security_Essentials at some point today.

The initial release will offer support for eight languages and will be made available in the following 19 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Microsoft Security Essentials supports both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft's Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.



HEXUS Forums :: 18 Comments

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I'll be quite interested to see how this performs against Avast and AVG. As I recall early testing of the Beta showed that it was light on resources, whilst offering good protection.
I'm also interested to see how this will do.

I still recommend avg to clients, however more and more I'm being put off it. The installer is adding all kinds of rubbish you have to opt out of. Add to this the bloat and added resources it takes up.

A good free alternative would be something that would be great.
if you want to see detection rate check here
it has same engine and signatures as the microsoft product tested in the link above.
i may well replace avg with this program tbh. avg seems to miss quite alot on my clients machines.

I normally reccomend avast as a free antivirus.
Aye - I'm running Avast as well on a few families now.