Anti-malware testing group AV-Comparatives.org not only gave Microsoft Security Essentials a top rating for malware removal, but now they’ve given it their best ranking in their performance test as well.
AV-Comparatives.org ran a series of real-world tests running through common scenarios like downloading, extracting, copying, and encoding files, installing and launching applications, and they also ran through an automated testing suite as well. Once the dust had settled, it became clear that not only is MSE one of only three products that both blocks and removes malware well, but it’s also very light on system resources.
Out of all the products tested, Microsoft Security Essentials was the best-performing free antivirus solution, and one of only two that received “very fast” on each of the real-world tests, earning it their top award: an “advanced+” ranking. We’ve been telling you for a while that you don’t need to pay for Windows security, and now with MSE ranked alongside the top paid apps in both malware removal and performance, you might want to consider making the switch.
Hit the AV-Comparatives link for the full report in PDF form, or check out the PC Mag story for the overview—if you can deal with some irritating in-text ads.
(lifehacker.com)
Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is a free antivirus software product for Microsoft Windows operating systems that provides protection against different types of malware such as computer virus, spyware, rootkits and trojan horses. Unlike the Microsoft Forefront family of enterprise-oriented security products, Microsoft Security Essentials is geared for consumer use.
Microsoft Security Essentials received positive reviews upon its release. In September 2011, it was the most popular antivirus software product in North America and the second most popular in the world.
Development
In 2005, Microsoft acquired security software firm Sybari of Hauppauge, New York, and shortly thereafter released the Microsoft Forefront line of server security products. Microsoft then announced plans for a free consumer security product codenamed Morro on 18 November 2008. It marked a change in Microsoft’s consumer antivirus marketing strategy: Instead of offering a subscription-based antivirus with a host of other tools, such as backup and a personal firewall, Morro would be free for all genuine installations of Windows not intended for business use (with an exception for small home based businesses) and offers protection against all types of malware. Microsoft Forefront would be offered alongside Microsoft Security Essentials, with central management tools not present in Microsoft Security Essentials, which is based on Microsoft Forefront technology obtained through the acquisition of Sybari in 2005.
On 23 June 2009, Microsoft opened a public beta to 75,000 people in the United States, Israel, People’s Republic of China and Brazil. At the time, Microsoft stated that Microsoft Security Essentials would be finalized and released before the end of 2009, in 20 markets and 10 languages.The final build was released on 29 September 2009.
Hardware requirements for Microsoft Security Essentials differ, depending on the operating system. For Windows XP, Microsoft Security Essentials requires at least a 500 MHz processor and 256 MB of RAM. On Windows Vista and Windows 7, Microsoft Security Essentials requires a 1 GHz processor and 1 GB of RAM. Under any compatible operating system, a VGA screen of 800 × 600 or higher, 140 MB of free space, and an Internet connection are also required.
[edit] Second versionOn 19 July 2010, Microsoft released a technical preview of Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0. On 16 December 2010, Microsoft Security Essentials version 2.0 passed the technical preview stage and was officially released to public. This version includes Network Inspection System, a network intrusion detection system that works on Windows Vista and Windows 7 as well as a new anti-malware engine that employs heuristics in malware detection. Version 2 can also integrate with Internet Explorer to protect users against web-based threats.
[edit] FutureOn 13 September 2011, at the Microsoft BUILD conference in Anaheim, California, Microsoft announced it will be integrating built-in anti-malware features in the upcoming version of Windows, codenamed Windows 8. Microsoft also showed that this new antivirus is capable of preventing an infected USB flash memory from compromising the system during the boot process.
On 18 November 2011, Microsoft sent invitations to potential participants to invite them to a limited beta test of the next version of Microsoft Security Essentials. A corresponding page on the Microsoft Connect website allowed volunteers to sign up for the program.
Microsoft has released a new software installation tool and unveiled a new support website for small OEM resellers, with the goal of making it easier for them to load Microsoft software into their PCs and servers and more quickly find out answers to technical and business questions.
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OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) qualify for these new resources if they don’t have a direct relationship with Microsoft, but rather buy Microsoft software from distributors like Tech Data and Ingram Micro.
Access to the installation tool and the support website is free for this type of OEM. All that is required is that they register in the Microsoft Partner Network, Microsoft announced on Tuesday.
“We are increasing our investment and innovation to help this important segment of the channel,” said Dana Manciagli, general manager, Worldwide OEM, Distribution and Reseller channel at Microsoft.
“This is a real statement that we love our smaller OEMs that are out there building white boxes, competing, selling Microsoft software. We value this type of system builder and we want to give them more tools,” she added.
These small OEMs are all over the world, from mature to emerging markets. They often don’t brand their PCs and servers with their company names, selling them instead as “white boxes” and as custom machines. “They play an important role in the marketplace,” she said.
The installation tool is called Microsoft Express Deployment Tool (EDT) and is now available for download. EDT is designed to speed up the process of installing Microsoft software, like Windows Client, Windows Server and Microsoft Office, into OEM devices, like PCs.
Until now, these OEMs have received individual “kits” for each Microsoft product they choose to install on their machines, such as Windows 7, Office 2010, Windows Server and Microsoft Security Essentials.
But now with EDT, these OEMs can use a wizard interface to preconfigure the software “image” they want to install on their machines, and then they can install the bundle in a consolidated manner, drastically reducing the time it takes to complete this process, she said.
In addition, EDT, whose interface is available in 10 languages, automatically notifies OEMs about available updates to the software they’re installing to make sure they have the latest version.
Meanwhile, the OEM Reseller Support System website provides discussion forums that OEMs can use to post questions and answers about presales and technical and licensing issues. Microsoft support engineers will respond to questions that haven’t been asked previously. This resource is available in eight languages.
Juan Carlos Perez covers enterprise communication/collaboration suites, operating systems, browsers and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Follow Juan on.
By Juan Carlos Perez, IDG News
Microsoft’s free security software passed a preliminary antivirus exam with flying colors, an independent testing company said today.
AV-Test GmbH tested Microsoft Security Essentials, the free software Microsoft launched yesterday in beta, on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7, putting it up against nearly 3,200 common viruses, bot Trojans and worms, said Andreas Marx, one of the firm’s two managers. The malware was culled from the most recent WildList, a list of threats actually actively attacking computers.
“All files were properly detected and treated by the product,” said Marx in an e-mail. “That’s good, as several other [antivirus] scanners are still not able to detect and kill all of these critters yet.”
AV-Test also measured Security Essentials against a set of in-house false positives to see whether the software mistakenly fingers legitimate files, a nightmare for users, who can be left with a crippled computer, and a disaster to the reputation of a security company.
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“None of the clean files were flagged as being malicious,” noted Marx. “Very good.”
AV-Test also examined the program’s anti-rootkit skills and its ability to scrub a system of malware it finds with a limited number of samples and “found no reasons to complain,” Marx said. “[Security Essentials] is able to remove found malware very well, but further tests against larger sets of samples are required before we can come to a final conclusion.”
Marx put to rest the once-rampant rumor that Security Essentials would operate “in-the-cloud” by scanning PCs from Microsoft’s servers. “The scanner works with the locally-installed anti-virus and anti-spyware databases — it doesn’t appear to use ‘in-the-cloud scanning’ methods,” he said.
AV-Test’s results will disappoint some rivals in the security market, who yesterday knocked Microsoft’s effort. “It just doesn’t give you the protection that you need,” argued J.R. Smith, the CEO of AVG Technologies, a company best-known for its free antivirus software. “People aren’t worried about antivirus anymore. Most of it is just noise. [Security Essentials] will help, especially in emerging markets. But it’s centered around viruses, which the bad guys aren’t really pushing anymore.”
Instead, cyber criminals increasingly rely on compromised Web sites to hit incoming PCs with exploits against unpatched vulnerabilities, said Smith. AVG packages LinkScanner, software that scans a URL for signs of infection, with its paid products. A free version of LinkScanner can also be downloaded from the AVG site.
Another noted antivirus testing lab, AV-Comparatives.org, said it would formally test Security Essentials in August, and release its results the next month.
Microsoft posted the beta of Microsoft Security Essentials to its site yesterday, saying it would cap the downloads at 75,000, which it has reached. As of early Wednesday, the site stated: “We are not accepting additional participants at this time. Please check back at later a date for possible additional availability.”
The new software, formerly known as “Morro,” replaces Windows Live OneCare, the for-a-fee security package that Microsoft is tossing June 30.
Microsoft has not revealed a ship date for the software, but the program’s end-user licensing agreement (EULA) notes that it expires Sept. 30 or when the program is released, whichever comes first.
It’s likely that Microsoft will deliver Security Essentials before it ships Windows 7, which is slated to debut Oct. 22.
(computerworld.com)
Instructions
1
Open your favorite web browser.
2
Type the following web address: “http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/” and click “Download now.” Microsoft Security Essentials supports Windows XP (32-bit), Windows Vista/Windows 7 (32-bit), and Windows Vista/Windows 7 (64-bit).
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3
Double-click the downloaded file. User Account Control (UAC) will prompt you if you are installing on Windows Vista or Windows 7. Click “Yes” to allow the program to make changes.
4
Click “Next” on the Welcome screen.
5
Accept the End User License Agreement (EULA).
6
Click “Validate” to make sure your copy of Windows is a genuine copy.
7
Click “Install.” After the install completes, Microsoft Security Essentials automatically updates your virus and spyware definitions to the latest release and performs a scan to make sure your computer is virus free.
