Summary:
Microsoft Security Essentials is the newest security product from Microsoft that helps protect consumers against viruses, spyware and other malicious software. The program, using the same technology as the Forefront product family, is designed to protect and take the guess work out of you wondering if you are protected or not. It is not a replacement for or designed to be a comprehensive Internet Security, computer tuning or Antivirus/ Antispam program.
Microsoft works with several selected security software providers to protect to provide overall computer security software for their XP, Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. If the Vendor is not on Microsoft's list, it is highly likely that the program is malware and could severely damage your computer's files and their integrity.
"Microsoft Security Essentials is also designed to address cost and other barriers that have prevented many of our customers from running up-to-date security protection on their PCs. Because there are no subscription fees, there is no registration required to collect billing or other personal information. It also runs quietly in the background scheduling scans when the PC is most likely idle and interrupting the user only when there is an action required to keep their PC secure."
Advice:
We were not too impressed with the idea updates to our virus definitions were daily vr's. immediate and up to the minute. Something major antivirus programs come standard with. Viruses, bots and trojans do not sleep or wait to strike until Microsoft happens to get around them. In addition, Microsoft demands you to uninstall any pre-existing antivirus or spyware program (Internet Security, 360, too) half way through their install. Kind of sneaky since you may have invested in months of decent security protection.
What this free AntiVrius program could do to your overall network security and safety plans is another issue. We imagine data processing managers all over the world will be pulling their hair out trying to fix the damage this will inflict on gateways, password protection and authentication schemes. The hackers on the other hand will love new opportunities to penetrate large networks once local and remote users try to switch to out of synch virus and spyware protection.
There will be a remedy with Microsoft's Forefront Security but at a premium price and with a very weak track record. Sorry but after years and years of promising better protection of their operating systems and applications, we are not buying into this even if it is seemingly- free. For a few pennies a day for high quality Internet Security, it is worth having a good nights sleep knowing the experts in the field are looking out for your best interests.
Trial Run:
Install: Someone has to be the Guinea pig- so I volunteered since my Norton had just expired. I am running Vista Home Premium (64 bit edition) on a portable 1.84 Ghz Dual 4GB memory. Rick @ Asystematics Oct. 7, 2009
Step 1.- Since my Norton had just expired, I went into the Security area and turned on the Windows Firewall. Then, I made sure my Windows Defender was up to date. I re-booted with the new settings as a precaution and checked to make sure they were both on in the Windows Security Center.
Step 2.- I went to Control Panel and uninstalled my expired Norton Internet Security 2009 program. Then I went to my C: drive and looked for any remaining Norton files under Programs (32 bit). There, I deleted the Norton directory.
Step 3.- I downloaded the files from the MS Security Essentials website. It did not take long since the file was only about 4MB. I selected the "Run" option. Once downloaded. it checked my machine for a genuine copy of Vista and asked me to agree to the license. As usual, the agreement was as long as my arm so I just agreed to what "I have no idea".
Step 4.- I went to Windows Security Center where I asked for an definitions update and scan of my system. I went back into Windows Security Essentials. All lights were green on Firewall, Autoupdate, Malware Protection and Other. A Quick Scan was started but found no errors or problems in the the Microsoft Security Center and set a Quick scan to daily with a request for an update before running the scan.
Step 5.- I requested a Full scan in the Security Center- just as a precaution.
Results:
Oct. 9, 2009- Update: The full scan took 2:43 hrs. which is quite long in comparison to others I have used. It slowed system a bit on half full 220GB drive even though I was not running any core apps during that time.
Oct. 11, 2009- Update: For some reason, the Center runs scans during the day and most of the night. I could not understand at first why the fan on my portable was coming on at night until I ran Start
Oct. 12, 2009- The memory issue is becoming a problem since I run multiple applications at one time. Despite having 4Gb of memory and ready boost rolling, I am getting memory errors and have to shut down Dreamweaver when it freezes. I do not get to save my work either since Dreamweaver just freezes and ends abruptly.
Oct. 13, 2009- I took a peak at the updating feature which was set to daily. The virus definitions were two days old which either meant there were no new threats in 48 hours (yeah, right) or the program was not doing the updates as promised. I use the system daily for at least a few hours to keep prices up to date. The fact that my Microsoft Antivirus was not current caused me some concern since my files are very important to my work. Other programs I have used are pushing out updates hourly or instantly. I know virus makers do not sleep.
Oct. 14, 2009- This situation resulted in me uninstalling Microsoft antivirus in favor of one with a two way firewall and current updating. I missed a few other features, such as alerts to known virus laden web sites, identity safe and vulnerability protection - locally and on my network. On running my new program (Norton Internet Security 2010), it uncovered 23 tracking cookies Microsoft Antivirus missed.
So much for the trial. I think I can wait for Microsoft Antivirus, Windows Defender and Firewall to become more serious programs in fighting We will keep you updated should these programs become more mature and comprehensive.
Official Word: The Microsoft Antivirus "employs practices like active memory swapping and CPU throttling to limit the impact on your PC performance, even on older or less powerful PCs. This isn’t a security suite product that provides rich PC tuning capabilities or backs up your data. But if what you’re looking for is “install and forget” malware protection and solid quality Microsoft Security Essentials may be just what you’ve been waiting for. Plus, as a user of Microsoft Security Essentials you’ll get support from the MMPC. We think you’re gonna like what you get with Microsoft Security Essentials. Microsoft Security Essentials is available now in 8 languages and 19 markets around the world for genuine Windows PCs."
"You can download: from the Forefront site on Microsoft's main site. The software is supported by Microsoft Malware Protection Center (MMPC) in locations around the world to help protect users from malware specially aimed at Microsoft products. Microsoft's recent add-on is an extension to Windows Defender."
What does it do?
"Microsoft Security Essentials is designed as an extra layer of security software to address cost and other barriers that have prevented many of our customers from running up-to-date security protection on their PCs.
Because there are no subscription fees, there is no registration required to collect billing or other personal information. It also runs quietly in the background scheduling scans when the PC is most likely idle and interrupting the user only when there is an action required to keep their PC secure. It employs practices like active memory swapping and CPU throttling to limit the impact on your PC performance, even on older or less powerful PCs.
This is not a security suite product that provides rich PC tuning capabilities or backs up your data. But if what you’re looking for is “install and forget” malware protection and solid quality Microsoft Security Essentials may be just what you’have been waiting for. Plus, as a user of Microsoft Security Essentials you’will get support from the MMPC. We think you’re going to like what you get with Microsoft Security Essentials. It is available now in 8 languages and 19 markets around the world for genuine Windows PCs. It can be downloaded from Microsoft as an extra layer of protection." Microsoft Support Center Sept. 30, 2009. As you can see in the screen shot below, it does not provide comprehensive security protection found in commercial protects.
Security Essentials Home screen- Update- History- Settings
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Other marks with permission.