Microsoft released a limited beta version of Microsoft Security Essentials codenamed Morro on June 23, a free antivirus application for users of Windows XP, Vista or 7. It is a free antivirus software that provides protection against viruses, spyware, rootkits and Trojans. But, it was available for download to the first 75,000 people in the United States, Israel, China and Brazil.

Security Essentials is easy to install and use. It replaces company’s Windows Live OneCare, a subscription antivirus service and Windows Defender, which only protects users from adware and spyware. The new product aims to cover the basic security needs of home users and its easy-to-use interface appears to be taking the right approach to the task.

Symantec and McAfee, two major antivirus vendors criticized the new software and said it was not comparable with their own offerings. But, AVG Technologies responded positively and said it reinforced the company's idea of free antivirus software.

Minimum system requirements for Microsoft Security Essentials Beta:

1. Operating System: Windows XP; Windows Vista; Windows 7 (Beta or Release Candidate)
•    For Windows XP, it requires CPU with clock speed of 500 MHz or higher and 256 MB RAM or higher
•    For Windows Vista and Windows 7, it requires CPU with clock speed of 1.0 GHz or higher and 1 GB RAM or higher

2. Internet Browser:
•    Windows Internet Explorer 6.0 or later
•    Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later

3. Under any compatible operating system, a VGA screen, 140 MB of free space and an Internet connection are also required.

Development of the MSE

Microsoft had announced Morro on November 18, 2008, but its beta version was released in June. It is expected that MSE will be finalized and released before the end of calendar 2009. Redmond giant reported that MSE will be launched in 20 markets and available in 10 languages.

MSE Interface

Its interface is very clear and evenly designed. At the top of the window, you will see your computer's protection status that is protected, partially protected or unprotected.

Everything else appears in four tabs: Home, which has an overview of your settings and a Scan Now button, Update, where you can manually update your virus-definition files, History, which logs all of the malware cleaned from your system and Settings.

Features

MSE is a stripped-down version of Windows OneCare, solely providing malware detection and removal. Before installation, MSE checks for a validated copy of Windows. No registration or personal information is required. The program will disable Windows Defender automatically, as it provides protection against malware, not limited to spyware and adware.

Updates are published 3 times a day to Microsoft Update. Using default settings, archived files are decompressed and then scanned. File downloads and e-mail attachments are also scanned. Its Dynamic Signature Service attempts to better identify malicious files by checking for updates if an application exhibits suspicious behavior.

Before taking action against a suspect file, MSE prompts for user input. If no response is received in 10 minutes, then the suspected malware is handled according to its default action, letting MSE determine what to do with the malware.
System Restore points are created before removing found malware.

Anuj Kumar/ITvoir Network