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This free software from Microsoft protects against viruses, spyware and other malicious software
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free tool for keeping a computer safe online
Microsoft Security Essentials is a free anti-virus and anti-spyware program.
Installation is simple and a restart is required. Security Essentials also checks for a working firewall and, once the computer has started again, it automatically downloads the latest updates and makes a quick scan of the computer.
The interface is simple with a clear indication of any problems and the next scan. Security Essentials goes to some effort to be as unobtrusive as possible. Scans are set to run weekly on a Sunday and there are settings to ensure they only run when the computer is not in use and to limit the computer resources that will be used.
There is real-time protection in addition to scans. This scans all downloads, monitors files and checks for suspicious behaviour on the computer. Certain files can be excluded from scans to speed them up but care should be taken to make sure this doesn't leave the computer at risk.
This is the download for Windows Vista and 7 32-bit. Other versions can be selected from the Security Essentials web page.
Security Essentials is part of Microsoft Spynet, an online community that collates information about potential threats from other users. Security Essentials works with the basic membership by default but this can be changed to give more or no information to this service if you want.
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Windows XP
I understand that it will also work with XP.
Posted by wyndham, 19 Jan 2011
Tough Security and for FREE!
I have been using this since the early stages, but you failed to point out a few major facts! 1, The scan can be adjusted to run any day (not just a Sunday), time of the week, you also forgot to mention that you can adjust several settings. 2, Nothing has been mentioned about the "Enable network inspection system", quite a rather large mistake not to mention that I thought? 3, Finally this excellent security software is compatible with Windows XP, that was not mentioned clearly? I use this on all of my Windows machines and it is faultless, non resource hogging and it just works!
Posted by C_3PO, 20 Jan 2011
Integration
A very basic review of the product, but there is much more to it as it integrates into the windows shell nicely, even getting updates through 'windows update' as well as independently, something that no third party product can match. What is the point of paying through the nose for a third party product that not only bloats out your computer, but also takes over existing in built security. This is quite simply the best product out there and it is free to boot. No annoying NAG screen either like all of the other free products out there.
Posted by Mike, 21 Jan 2011