Microsoft Security Essentials

Did you get your notice that Microsoft Secruity Essentials is now free? Back on Sept 29, 2009 Microsoft released their upgrade to the OneCare virus protection program that you paid a subscription fee to use. The new program boasting the label Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is Free and you can download it from http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials

The amazing thing I have noticed in discussions in chat rooms and forums is that it seems no one was aware of this and it has now been over a year and a quarter since its release.

Well fear not, just use the link I provided above. Its as good as any other free virus protection coupled with windows defenders firewall service, but there still is no substitute for a fully paid for virus and internet security program such as that of Trend Micro’s Internet Security Suite.

If you are the type of person that believes in using the same brand name for your stereo components or audio/video center matched to the same brand for speakers, then it wouldn’t hurt to install MSE on your windows machine. Sorry it’s only for XP and above, but it has a 32bit and 64bit version.

Now for a fair warning for all those people that have a pirated copy of windows on their machines, “Your PC must run genuine Windows to install Microsoft Security Essentials.”

Happy 2011!!