Security Essentials now available and free from Microsoft

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Security Essentials now available and free from Microsoft

Postby Antony » Wed 30 Sep, 2009 2:13 am

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Microsoft confirmed that it will make their free security software suite Security Essentials, which has been in development for almost a year, available free to all general public.

Microsoft seem really want to make sure that Windows PCs are secure and malware-free. Because if they aren't, it reflects badly on the company that many blame for the problem in the first place. Microsoft has released security software over the past few years. There are (were?) the Windows Firewall and Windows Defender, and for a long time there has been Windows Live OneCare. But the subscription-based OneCare is no more, and in its place is a free alternative that was first mooted last year under the codename Morro.

According to reports, the beta version of Security Essentials has received very positive reviews.

Well, it is free, and it might worth a try.
Security Essentials (official website)
Microsoft Security Essentials is available for Windows XP (32 bit), Windows Vista (32 bit and 64 bit), Windows 7 (32 bit and 64 bit).

Please do let us know your experience with Microsoft Security Essentials.
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Postby iJohnE » Wed 30 Sep, 2009 2:33 pm

Finally, it's released. I used it when it was in Beta, and it's one of the best security programs I've ever used.
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Postby Mandrake » Wed 30 Sep, 2009 3:00 pm

After using the beta for months I was prompted to upgrade yesterday. It's fantastic. I don't see why anyone would pay for anti-virus software with a free product of this quality in the market.
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Postby iJohnE » Wed 30 Sep, 2009 3:44 pm

I like how light weight it is. It's like Defender in that it does an amazing job, without interfering with how my system prefroms.

5 out of 5 stars.
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Postby Antony » Wed 30 Sep, 2009 10:50 pm

I downloaded it last night, and during installation (on Windows XP SP3 under Parallels Desktop for Mac), it asked me to remove another anti-virus (AVG-Free).
I turn off the AVG-Free to continue the installation.

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Postby DJGM » Thu 01 Oct, 2009 7:29 am

You should never have more than one anti-virus program running simultaneously, or they conflict, and cause problems.
Turning off AVG isn't enough. You'll need to uninstall it if you want to continue using MSSE in that VM of Windows XP.

The warning message displayed in the MSSE installer summed up the potential for problems perfectly.
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Postby James » Thu 01 Oct, 2009 9:03 am

Not really. Many folks (including MVPs) run two anti-virus programs but make certain that one is running on demand only.
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Postby Antony » Thu 01 Oct, 2009 10:49 am

I will give both a try with AVG-Free and Microsoft Security Essentials both installed for a while and see what happens.
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Postby DJGM » Thu 01 Oct, 2009 11:44 am

Both AVG and MSSE have real-time protection engines that run in the background. Having both run at the same time on
the same Windows installation is unwise, as they will definitely cause conflicts, and possibility system stability issues.
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Postby James » Thu 01 Oct, 2009 9:14 pm

Antony, see if you can turn one of the real-time scanners off. Greg is correct in suggesting that there will be a conflict and a possibility of system instability.
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Postby Antony » Thu 01 Oct, 2009 11:05 pm

Microsoft Security Essentials requires genuine Windows, which is not an issue.

However, from genuine Windows benefit page, something is clearly not fair.

For Windows XP, if you live in United States, you can get Security Essentials and Microsoft Windows Theme Nunavut. As well as free trials and savings on select MSN Games.

For those of us in Australia, the only benefit is Security Essentials.


Back to the topic of two anti-virus running.
I re-launched the Windows XP on Parallels Desktop for Mac, the real time/background scanner/protection on AVG Free and Security Essentials are running at the same time. And Windows XP is still running fine or far. I will report more if anything happens.
(Of course, I don't use the Windows XP seriously.)
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Postby PaulD » Thu 01 Oct, 2009 11:52 pm

Does anyone have any observations, comments or experience on the SpyNet aspects, specifically on data that are sent to Microsoft, including possible personal data?
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/privacy.aspx
See under the Resources tab, the 2nd and 5th red paragraphs.
Also a large section on Microsoft SpyNet about 55% down the page.
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Postby James » Fri 02 Oct, 2009 9:08 am

Spynet is not something new. Giant used to have its users send in data to make it easier for them to identify malware. Counterspy does this, Norton does this and I'm sure there are at least a dozen or so other spyware companies asking its users to opt into this. Certainly Microsoft which has been accused of so many violations would not be trying to illegally or unscrupulously gather information for its own advantages in this day and age. It seems to me that MS has done us all a very good turn with the release of this product.
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Postby Antony » Fri 02 Oct, 2009 11:30 pm

PaulD wrote:Does anyone have any observations, comments or experience on the SpyNet aspects, specifically on data that are sent to Microsoft, including possible personal data?
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/privacy.aspx
See under the Resources tab, the 2nd and 5th red paragraphs.
Also a large section on Microsoft SpyNet about 55% down the page.
Thank you for pointing this out, Paul.

[quote="Microsoft"]When we need information that personally identifies you or allows us to contact you, we will explicitly ask you for it. In the case of Microsoft SpyNet, by accepting this privacy statement, you agree to send reports to Microsoft (see below). The personal information that we collect from you will be used by Microsoft and its controlled subsidiaries and affiliates to provide the service(s) or carry out the transaction(s) you have requested or authorized ...

... As a “basicâ€
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Postby James » Sat 03 Oct, 2009 12:40 am

Antony, check out Security Now Oct. 1st with Laporte and Gibson. They discuss MSE. You'll find it in the column to the right here: http://twit.tv/
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