Microsoft Security Essentials
Who wants a free anti virus? I do, thanks to my friend Sernan for telling me about this free anti virus from Microsoft. I’ve been using Kaspersky Anti virus for almost a year now and I upgraded from free version of AVG because there is a virus that AVG can not remove and Kaspersky was able to do it. To make long story short, my Kaspersky license is about to expire so I thought of giving a fee anti virus another shot. That’s when Sernan told me about Microsoft’s free anti virus.
Microsoft Free Anti Virus is called Microsoft Security Essentials and its free to download and use. It provides real-time protection for your PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. Operating system must be a Genuine Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7.
Microsoft also stated that it is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple. It runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times.
I was surprised that the file I’ve downloaded was so small compared with other free anti virus I’ve used previously. It’s a tiny 8mb installation file. Downloading and installation was a breeze but Microsoft needs to verify if you are using a genuine Windows operating system first. After the verification it proceeds with the installation and then scanned my system for the first time. Oh yes I disabled Kaspersky Anti Virus first because you don’t want two anti virus working on your system at the same time.
Trojan found
Lo and behold it was able to find a Trojan in my system as I don’t really expect this free anti virus to find anything because I am confident that nothing can escape Kaspersky Anti Virus. It says that the Trojan resides on my temporary internet files. (see screenshot on the left.)
Well I think finding a Trojan that was able to escape Kaspersky is an Anti Virus worth in my book, free or not free. In this case, its a free anti virus which makes it more valuable application.
So I am not going to renew my Kaspersky subscription for the mean time and just try this Microsoft Anti Virus, well it’s free so I might as well make advantage of it.
You can download Microsoft Security Essentials here.
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It is always interesting for free stuff from Microsoft. Thanks for the info.
.-= Dana@online knowledge´s last blog ..How To Check Directories Backlink =-.
Yeah I never thought I’ll get a worthwhile free application from Microsoft too.
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..Manila became Water World =-.
already installed the apps.. works fine on windows 7… already uninstalled avast….:)
I’ll try this one.. hope it works good as Kaspersky… Ü
Thanks for the visit Herbie. Not sure if its good as Kaspersky but like what I’ve said it catches a Trojan that escapes Kaspersky. But for a free Anti virus, I think this is all worth it.
I couldn’t be happier to be a Mac user
.-= Extreme John´s last blog ..Community Coffee Pecan Praline Review =-.
I’ve never used a Mac in my entire life
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..5 Proven Alexa Ranking Tips =-.
I’m a mac user as well, and don’t find the need to use an anti-virus… I’m wondering if a mac use is using Apple Care..
.-= Benjamin Cip´s last blog ..What Is Better “Social Media Marketing” Or “Email Marketing” ? =-.
I didn’t know Mac don’t get viruses.
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..Crop Circles Google Earth =-.
I use AVG and I think it works well but ….
I’ll have to check out and download Microsofts anti-virus
and you can’t complain with FREE.
.-= Blaine Bullman´s last blog ..6 Benefits Of Blogging =-.
Exactly Blaine. Free is free no strings attached. I’m not renewing my Kaspersky at the moment and lets see how this anti virus from Microsoft performs.
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..Manila became Water World =-.
Hey Zee, is nice to know that Microsoft offers a free anti virus but I like using AVG.
.-= Asswass´s last blog ..Rule #9 Radical Marketing: Don’t always believe in common sense =-.
I’ve been an AVG user too before I switched to Kaspersky, now I’m using this MS anti viurs. Thanks for dropping by bro.
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..You’ve got to see this =-.
Hi, it is a nice info. Hopefully this anti virus could work well than any other AV as microsoft is understood his security program well instead the others AV.
I’ll try it later on and if it is good enough than i would post it to my blog.
Keep up the good work friend. Btw, i am DoFollow blog also, nice to know you.
Thanks.
.-= Vista SG´s last blog ..Yummy Soap Fun =-.
Thanks for dropping by my friend. I like your blog, yummy soap….burp!
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..Manila became Water World =-.
the apps detected a couple of trojans on my external drive… which avast did not detect…nice piece of software!
.-= sernan@nhansense´s last blog ..Free Antivirus from Microsoft =-.
Thats good to know Sernan. But why are you feeding Trojans?
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..You’ve got to see this =-.
Sounds good. And about that trojan detected, keep in mind that sometimes the anti-virus make mistakes and detect inexistent trojans. Not frecuent but it happens.
I guess you are right Algernon but I’ll take false detection over none detection all the time.
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..5 Proven Alexa Ranking Tips =-.
hi guys, i set up a donation button in my site for the typhoon victims in the philippines, pls donate any amount so we can buy mats, blankets and food
.-= mel´s last blog ..PHILADELPHIA JOBS =-.
Where you from Mel?
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..Manila became Water World =-.
The day I saw this free anti-virus software, I downloaded it. I was also really impressed with how quickly it installed and how lightweight it is. I hope it is as effective at protecting my system as the other ones i’ve tried
.-= Blake @ Props Blog Reviews´s last blog ..Are You Ready For Google Wave? =-.
You are right Blake, lightweight it is. Plus it looks like very effective as well.
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..5 Proven Alexa Ranking Tips =-.
I don’t think I need an anti-virus since I became a Mac user…
.-= Benjamin Cip´s last blog ..What Is Better “Social Media Marketing” Or “Email Marketing” ? =-.
That’s pretty cool Ben. Too bad I’ve been a PC guy for 18 years already and I have no plan to switch
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..5 Proven Alexa Ranking Tips =-.
Hey Z! Come on over to my blog! You’ve got yourself a surprise waiting for you!!!!
Thanks C for the surprise.
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I use AVG Free and so far it has not let me down
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Norton and McAfee are in trouble now, although Microsoft claims this free product is for those who didn’t have any security software installed. But, who wants to pay a software if there is a free one?
I wonder how good is free tool. Maybe it is a better idea if Microsoft buys this product from McAfee and make it free.
I installed MSN Essentials and thought I’d uninstalled AVG. Then AVG ran a scan and detected 4 infections, 1 of which it wasn’t able to quarantine or repair. I’ve run Essentials a couple of times and it says the computer’s clean. ???
So you have AVG then you installed MS Essentials and uninstalled AVG BUT AVG ran a scan and detected 4 infections? I thought you already uninstalled AVG? How can AVG ran a scan if its uninstalled already?
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..Tweet your way to $100 and more =-.
ZXT – Uh, because I obviously didn’t uninstall AVG properly. But the *point* of my post was that AVG found infections and Essentials didn’t.
@JMN – But you already have AVG before you installed MS Essentials and that means it initially escaped AVG too. Anyways my experience was different, Essentials detected a Trojan when Kaspersky didn’t. A co worker has the same experience with Essentials detecting a worm when AVG didn’t. A comment from Sernan saying the same thing when Avast didn’t see any Trojans but Essentials did after installing it.
Well thank you for sharing your experience JMN, I guess there’s no perfect anti virus, free or not free. Always do different things for different people.
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..Sunday’s Babe of the Week =-.
Free antivirus has the right price, at least. I am going to download and give it a whirl. Will let you know how it goes. My computer has been real slow lately. We’ll see if this fixes that.
.-= Keith@Norman Rockwell Art´s last blog ..Nov 10, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is home to Norman Rockwell painting =-.
Hi Keith, I suggest do a reformat of your hard drive (if you can back up your documents) and re install Windows. I do this yearly and it makes my PC in tip top shape. Microsoft Anti Virus has been doing well I supposed, been more than a month and so far my PC is virus free.
.-= ZXT´s last blog ..Be My Guest Blogger =-.