Microsoft releases free security suite

Posted on 29 Sep 2009 at 16:05

Microsoft has released its free security software, Security Essentials for users of Windows XP, Vista and 7.

The software is free to download and use and offers protection against viruses, spyware and other malicious software. It has real-time protection built-in, which means that files are checked when they're accessed, not only when you schedule a scan of your computer.

"Consumers have told us that they want the protection of real-time security software, but that they are confused by trials and renewals and concerned about performance and as a result, too many are unprotected," said Amy Barzdukas, Microsoft's general manager for consumer security.

We've not been impressed by Microsoft's security suites before, with Windows Live One Care (the paid-for precursor to Security Essentials and now discontinued) performing badly in our live virus tests. Until we get chance to run the software through our virus lab and see how well it does, we can't recommend that anyone uses it.

Until then, if you want free anti-virus protection Avast! is the best choice.

Author: David Ludlow

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