Microsoft Security Essentials , have you tried it?

Well, it has not much positive points in protection, but if you want program, that will protect you from basic virus, and doesn't use much computer requirements, then go on!

 

It seems as though Microsoft has finally entered the consumer free Antivirus game by releasing its own antivirus. This antivirus, termed as Microsoft Security Essentials, is installable on 32 bit and 64 bit machines. Versions are available for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. Additionally, this is perhaps the smallest antivirus software in terms of installation file size – a mere 7 Mb on Windows 7 – touché indeed! It is, as is usual for Microsoft, a closed source freeware software – pending having an Authenticated Windows Installation (What is known as Windows Genuine). As opposed to the Live OneCare security software it is free and accomplishes much more than the simple Windows Defender.

This antivirus has been released solely for the consumer market – for enterprises, Microsoft has its own Microsoft Forefront suite of security software. Development of the Microsoft Security Essentials software began in early November 2008. it was initially codenamed as ‘morro’ by Microsoft. The first public release of Microsoft Security Essentials took place in June 2009 – with access given to about 75, 000 people. By the end of September 2009, Microsoft had released Microsoft Security Essentials to more than 20 markets and had made it available in more than 10 languages. As of July 2010, Microsoft has released a BETA version of Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0. Hopefully, this release will go out of BETA soon. It comes with various new features and also includes changes that were made upon feedback provided by the users of Microsoft Security Essentials. These include an updated protection engine, protection against web-based (internet originating) threats and a network intrusion detection system (advanced firewall).

Microsoft Security Essentials has acceptable system requirements. These are mentioned below.

* Operating System: Genuine Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3); Windows Vista (Gold, Service Pack 1, or Service Pack 2); Windows 7
* For Windows XP Computers, at least a 500 MHz CPU and at least 256 MB RAM.
* For Windows Vista and Windows 7 Computers, at least a 1.0 GHz CPU and at least 1 GB RAM.
* A VGA display of 800 × 600 or higher is required. However, a display of 1024 X 768 is recommended.
* 140 MB of available free hard disk space.
* An Internet connection (preferably a connection at or above 56 Kbps) is required for installation. This is also used for downloading the latest virus and spyware definitions (updates) for Microsoft Security Essentials. This is essential for all antivirus software since it helps keep the antivirus up to date with new threats.
* Web Browser: Windows Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later.

Microsoft allows users of the various Windows OS’s to download and install Microsoft Security Essentials – provided the user has a genuine windows installation. As such, prior to installing itself on a PC, Microsoft Security Essentials will determined the validity of the Windows installation and then start the installation process. What’s more, the installation itself requires absolutely no registration or personal information – as opposed to many free antivirus software out there. This is also a plus for all those concerned for their privacy. Virus Definitions present in Microsoft Secuirty Essentials are similar to those present in other Microsoft security products such as Forefront Client Security, Windows Live OneCare, and Windows Defender. As such, if other products are installed and have up to date virus definitions, these work well with Microsoft Security Essentials. However, Microsoft Security Essentials un-installs Windows Defender since it is a more advanced version of it with more features. Windows Defender was only an anti-malware product.

Microsoft Security Essentials automatically checks the Microsoft database for virus definition updates daily. These are then downloaded to the computer and installed. What’s more, these updates are published online three times a day – the most for any free antivirus. Even the commercial version of NOD32 updates once a day. Additionally, a user can also manually download these updates from the internet and install them on the computer. This is useful if a person has an old version of Microsoft Security Essentials or if a person has no access to the internet. It also scans compressed/archived files (by first decompressing them) as well as file downloads and email attacgments – to prevent the computer from infection via malware. It consists of an anti-malware engine known as the ”Microsoft Malware Protection Engine”, or MSMPENG in short.

A Dynamic Signature Service is used by Microsoft Security Essentials to identify malicious files and software by using updates when such files show suspicious behaviour. System Restore points are always set before malware removal is done by Microsoft Security Essentials. Additionally before MSE takes any action against a suspected file, it promps the user for an action. If such an action is not displayed within 10 minutes, MSE will the use its own default action against the suspicious file.

Microsoft Security Essentials was received with positive reviews by many windows users. Several prominent authorities including websites and magazines have also given this antivirus software positive reviews.

Reviewers have cited MSE’s low resource usage, its straightforward and simple user interface, and availability as free software. The Washington Post was more or less quite positive of MSE after testing its performance. According to them, MSE only used 4 MB of RAM when running and during scans. A quick scan of the computer took more or less 10 minutes whereas a full scan took 45 minutes. Ars Technica was also appreciative of its low resource usage, it being free and its organized user interface. PC World found its user interface, particularly the use of tabs, quite effective. PC Magazine was carried away by the small 7 Mb size of the software as well as its rapid installation. Microsoft also won the PC Advisors Best Free Software Award in January 2010.

According to AV-Test.org, Microsoft Security Essentials had the following results upon testing. Microsoft Security Essentials detected and caught 98.44 percent of 545,034 computer viruses, computer worms and software Trojan horses as well as 90.95 percent of 14,222 spyware and adware samples. Microsoft Security Essentials also detected and eliminated all 25 tested rootkits. Microsoft Security Essentials generated no false-positive at all.

The industry responded differently however. Symantec, McAfee and Kaspersky dismissed MSE by claiming that it was not as good as their own software. This was expected because the very announcement of MSE triggered a fall in the shares of these antivirus software. The subsequent release of MSE further triggered a downfall that also resulted in a rise in the shares of Microsoft. However, AVG which can be considered as the most popular free antivirus software received MSE with positive reviews and congratulated Microsoft on making this crucial step.

All in all, Microsoft Security Essentials has changed the antivirus landscape. The number of users of MSE are on the rise and its performance is also good. Time will more or less tell whether this antivirus will dominate the antivirus market or not – at least where windows users are concerned.

 

* For Windows Vista and Windows 7 Computers, at least a 1.0 GHz CPU and at least 1 GB RAM.

does above means it will USE 1 GB RAM running on Windows 7? O_O

 

does above means it will USE 1 GB RAM running on Windows 7? O_O
yes

 

Is anybody using Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus? Could your share your opinion on this tool?

 

I use it personally and its works good

 

I'm using it alongwith Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, they both work really good.

 

There have already been TWO threads about this, one lasting years, asking the same question!
I'm sure the DP braintrust will keep this one rolling for years more.

 

i m using it, it works fine, dont know is it free or not

 

And more proof that NOBODY on DP reads previous threads.

 

lol nope . There is a lot of threads still !!

 

High-quality protection against viruses and spyware, including Trojans, worms and other malicious software. And best of all, there are no costs or annoying subscriptions to keep track of.

Requirements:
· Genuine Windows
· For XP - CPU with clock speed of 500 MHz or higher
· For XP - Memory: 256 MB RAM or higher
· For Vista / W7 - CPU with clock speed of 1.0 GHz or higher
· For Vista / W7 - Memory: 1 GB RAM or higher
· VGA (Display): 800 x 600 or higher
· Storage: 140 MB of available hard-disk space
· An Internet connection is required for installation and to download the latest virus and spyware definitions for Microsoft Microsoft Security Essentials