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Microsoft has just released version 4.0 of its free anti-virus utility, Microsoft Security Essentials. Since MSSE's release in 2009, its effectiveness, speed and features have been well-received. As a result, the anti-virus program enjoys a great deal of popularity in the U.S. and remains a TechSpot Editor's Pick along with two other solid, free AV offerings: Avast! and Avira.
A Microsoft spokesperson had this to say about the new release:
This update to Microsoft Security Essentials is part of the standard product update release cycle. This service update contains product enhancements to improve performance and user experience. We have improved on Microsoft Security Essentials' Automatic Remediation, which will automatically quarantine highly harmful threats without prompting the user to take action as well as minor bug fixes in set up, malware remediation and other areas."
Source: cnet.com
In beta since late 2011, the final release of MSSE 4.0 brings users a familiar but updated interface and "enhanced automatic remediation". In plain English, this means MSSE will now immediately quarantine files that it believes are high-risk, rather than waiting for user intervention. As we have all discovered by now, anti-virus utilities aren't absolutely correct 100 percent of the time, but this feature aims to limit the amount of damage done during the lag time between the introduction of a dangerous file and the user's reaction.
Spynet, which was introduced with Windows Defender in Vista, has been replaced with MAPS (Microsoft Active Protection Services). However, there is no indication this is more than just a name change for the community-based detection service.
The latest release of MSSE is supposed to be pushed out automagically through the Automatic Windows Update service. However, based upon past experiences of others and myself, major MSSE version upgrades have remained a manual installation-only affair. Current MSSE users, especially using 2.0 or earlier, should consider upgrading manually.
Also, in order to install MSSE, your installation of Windows must pass the Windows Genuine Advantage validation. If you're running a pirated version of Windows -- as always -- you do so at your own peril.
- Download Microsoft Security Essentials 4.0 for Windows XP, Vista & 7
User Comments: 33
Got something to say? Post a comment-
Marnomancer said:
Yes, the nag can be annoying. It opens up unwelcome, right in your face.
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Now, if Microsoft would only give us something like Garage Band...
Why, so there can be yet one more app 99.99% of the world doesn't don't care about or use?
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Well I used Norton 360 for 8months and It caused my windows 7 to Crash every 6weeks and their technical assist was very poor? (sorry none existent) (since removing it no problems) touch wood ! I have used windows essentials since, and had no probs on my computer. So that's the one I and millions of others recommend.
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Been using NOD32 for several years and have no problem paying the $ for a great product. I also use the Avast free on two other systems plus their $ for my wife's laptop. Again, great products. And for my son's laptop the MSE offering which has done well for him.
As the Captain rightly points out your "your results may vary" and "use whatever you like."
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First, when referring to a previous post, does the whole post have to be reprinted?
Does the person making the reply do that, or is it how this forum is set up ?
Anyhow, it's annoying as hell.
(See captaincranky @ Apr 30, 5:39 AM - was it really necessary to repost the previous guy's entire comment?)
Second, although Avira is an excellent antivirus, I'd never recommend it as a 'set-it-and-forget-it'
program.
I've tried it several times over the last 7 or so years on different rigs and different OS's, and the free version has always had automatic update issues.
(Just for shitz and giggles, you free Avira users go check your update logs now.)
I've tried every suggestion given in their forums, and I've concluded that the problem is on their end; they know about it (there's enough letters in the forum to show that), and they don't care.
MSSE is still not up to par, AVG can't seem to catch Avira and Avast.
So Avast Free is my choice.
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First, when referring to a previous post, does the whole post have to be reprinted?
Does the person making the reply do that, or is it how this forum is set up ?
Anyhow, it's annoying as hell.
(See captaincranky @ Apr 30, 5:39 AM - was it really necessary to repost the previous guy's entire comment?)
Second, although Avira is an excellent antivirus, I'd never recommend it as a 'set-it-and-forget-it'
program.
I've tried it several times over the last 7 or so years on different rigs and different OS's, and the free version has always had automatic update issues.
(Just for shitz and giggles, you free Avira users go check your update logs now.)
I've tried every suggestion given in their forums, and I've concluded that the problem is on their end; they know about it (there's enough letters in the forum to show that), and they don't care.
MSSE is still not up to par, AVG can't seem to catch Avira and Avast.
So Avast Free is my choice.
I don't suppose you'd believe that I requote an entire post for the simple reason that I believe the OP has so much of value to contribute, that it bears repeating.
Didn't think so.
In any event, I going to sign out and and install whatever AV you're using. It must be great since you put so much conviction into your proselytizing of it....Yay Avast!
BTW: My sons "genius" wife allowed the only copy of "Avast" I ever installed to be killed by Facebook. Jus' sayin. That's when I stopped using it.
Um also, it would mean a great deal to me if you'd click the "Like" button for this post.
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They forgot to allow for Proxy Configuration. You can work around this by running proxycfg -p proxyserver:port or netsh winhttp set proxy proxy-server
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In general today it's much easier keeping PC's clean then it was several years ago.
Personally most of us don't have enough situations to know which is really best etc, so we need to rely on others who do this for a living their word. Whatever your fav is today, if something did get by and do damage, who's to say you next AV wouldn't have failed as well?
I know MS lost a lot of business and respect 5-10 years ago when viruses were running rampant. If somehow their O/S could have run and been protected like they are now, their name would have been a lot better and I bet their stock prices would have reflected it.
I ghost all home systems, I don't run any live protection. I do updates. On my personal pc, I have not had one virus or even spyware malware for over 4 months now. The later one's that is unheard of. Now I do have some protection add-on's for Firefox, the general one's, 3rd party cookies off etc.
When I run AV and Spyware on family pc's, no AV's in a long time (no one running realtime) and a much lower Spyware count, like every 30 days maybe 20 pedestrian one's.
We all have fears and what we think is best, so I don't preach what you should or shouldn't do. My house is ultimately protected by full ghost system backups. But things have gotten so so much better. One could school me that letting my guard down is a unwise choice, perhaps correct. But I haven't run full-time protection since something like '07.
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