Security remains one of the prime concerns of Internet users. Multiple threats like spywares, viruses, Trojans and other malicious software or bots can harm data and privacy. There are many security products on the market today. Recently Microsoft developed Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) which is a free software available to all genuine Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 / 8 users.
Like other security software, MSE provides protection against different kinds of malware like viruses, Trojans, spyware including key loggers, spying tools and rootkits. Unlike other Microsoft products that come with a host of other tools, MSE is a standalone antivirus software that is free and does not require subscription for home or small scale users.
The beta version of MSE was released on 23rd June, 2009 to 75,000 customers in the US, Israel, China and Brazil. The final and stable version was released on 29th September, 2009. Since its release it has received a general positive response. On 16th December 2010 Microsoft released a more efficient version of MSE, the MSE 2.0. It is based on a new anti-malware engine that uses heuristics in malware detection.
MSE shares the same virus definitions as all other desktop security software by Microsoft including Windows Defender, Windows Live OneCare and Forefront Client security. However upon installation it disables Windows Defender and previous versions of Windows Live OneCare. It is lightweight, remarkably quick, and installation is very simple.
The beta version of MSE performed poorly in tests to figure out how effectively it could block real time threats. It managed to block 64% of attacks and partially blocked an additional 7%, a figure much lower than its competitors in the market. However once an infection is in your PC the MSE performs much more efficiently. It managed to clean 70 percent of threats, thanks to its robust kernel mode and advanced signature technology. The scan speed was also slower than Avira and McAfee, and it took more time to scan the same amount of data than Avira, Kaspersky and McAfee. However the biggest advantage is that it is free (Learn how to uninstall McAfee antivirus).
Upon its launch, MSE received a very positive response from consumers. One of the prime concerns of consumers about antivirus software is that it slows down their machines, and the MSE proved to be the solution to this problem. It is extremely fast and lightweight and never overburdens your PC. Competitors like Symantic, McAfee and Kaspersky Labs dismissed MSE as substandard and claimed it did not provide the level of protection that their products offer to their users.
Joris Evers, Director of Worldwide Public Relations for McAfee stated: "With OneCare's market share of less than 2%, we understand Microsoft's decision to shift attention to their core business." Justin Priestley of Kaspersky stated: "[Microsoft] continue to hold a very low market share in the consumer market, and we don't expect the exit of OneCare to change the playing field drastically." AVG Technologies showed a positive response towards MSE. According to an AVG representative: "We view this as a positive step for the AV landscape. AVG has believed in the right to free antivirus software for the past eight years." (Check out our AVG antivirus review). Nevertheless, AVG raised the issue of distributing the software product and said, "Microsoft will have to do more than simply make the product available.” But despite its appreciation of MSE as a free product, AVG Technologies stated that the integration of MSE with Microsoft Windows would be a violation of competition law.
In a nutshell, the MSE might not be the silver bullet for malware and viruses but it's a lot better than the other free antivirus softwares on the market and effectively competes with much more expensive and high-tech software of its era.
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