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Microsoft Launches Free Anti-Virus Tool

by Terrence O'Brien on September 30, 2009 at 06:19 AM

Microsoft Releases Free Anti-Virus Tool

Microsoft's new Security Essentials package departed from its beta status yesterday and is now available for free download, in its full-blown form, to anyone in need of some malware protection. Security Essentials protects against viruses, trojans, spyware, and other such cyber-nastiness.

The free download is certified as Windows 7 compatible (as one would expect) and is kept up-to-date via Windows Update just like the OS, meaning that users will have one less piece of software they have to worry about updating. Security Essentials offers basic protection without having as severe an impact on your PC's performance as do more complex (and expensive) suites like those from Symantec, McAfee, or Kaspersky.

So far, reviews have been quite positive, with both Computer World and Tech Review Source giving it strong endorsements.

Security Essential lacks some advanced features like phishing protection, data backup, or a firewall. But, in truth, it's meant to be a malware-only tool, leaving those other features to other products. It isn't necessarily a head-on challenge to established commercial security software providers, but we do expect it to cut into some of those companies' profits as people look for new ways to cut corners and trim costs. [From: Engadget, Computer World]

Tags: anti malware, anti-malware, anti-virus, AntiMalware, antivirus, malware, microsoft, microsoft security essentials, MicrosoftSecurityEssentials, security, security essentials, SecurityEssentials, top

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