September 30, 2009

Microsoft has finally released Microsoft Security Essentials anti-malware service after testing the free security suite dubbed Morro for long. In June, Microsoft revealed that the security suite would be available for public testing later. Microsoft Security Essentials is available for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 from here. This software is entirely free to download and requires no registration.

Microsoft Security Essentials is said to be a refined version of Live OneCare services that were shut down in June. Subscription based Live OneCare service was discontinued by Microsoft on June 30 this year. Microsoft Security Essentials is available in eight languages and 19 countries

Microsoft notes that Microsoft Security Essentials is an anti-malware program and should not be used while any other anti-virus program is still running on the PC. MSE is super set of Windows Defender since it gets deactivated on MSE's installation. This MSE program provides protection against rootkits, anti-virus, anti-spyware, and other malicious attack protection tools.

Once installed, the application studies suspicious programs and verifies it with a central server to see if it's a malware. Microsoft boasts of new Dynamic Signature Service that checks suspicious programs with latest database of virus definitions.

Back in June, David Freer, Symantec's Asia Pacific and Japan Vice President Consumer Business, gave the Microsoft security product a rather harsh review, stating that Morro is essentially a stripped down version of Microsoft's failed OneCare product. Usually Anti-virus suites come pre-installed through the PC makers or by the retailers. MSE, being a standalone product, won't be bundled with Windows OS and the decision to install it lies entirely on PC makers.

Source:-http://www.techtree.com