Microsoft-Security-Essentials

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Microsoft Security Essentials is one of the better Virus and Malware protections available, and it is Free! Microsoft has a highly profitable business, and normally charges a pretty high price for their software. So I was amazed that they put out something this good Free!

I have been using Microsoft-Security-Essentials(MSE)for the three years, and it is very good, and free. I have installed this on my computers, and many of my customers systems, and it is doing a good job. I've used AVG in the past (also free and pretty good), but I still like Microsoft Security Essentials. Unfortunately, the bad guys have gotten past MSE on occasion, but no more than they've gotten past McAfee or Nortons, at least from my experience.

Microsoft vs. McAfee: How free antivirus outperformed paid

This article provides a lot of detail about the benefits of MS Security Essentials. I'm still sticking with. I love Free, when its good!

Ideally, competitors will always continue to claim their solutions are better, and will coerce PC users to remove "freeware" editions of light-weight standalone AV clients again with paid "Internet Security Suites" being their step-up program.

This is often their way of making money on keeping users protected, But I suspect them of making money by tricking the user and wasting system resources in the name of security.

I've used this on infected computers that have had current popular Internet Security Suites (that failed to stop the infections), and MS Security Essentials found and fixed the infections! Of course, I don't expect a "free" product to have all the bells and whistles, and I'm glad too, as it is quicker than the big guys!

Try it, I think you will like it! Remember to uninstall any other security you have, before installing!

Microsoft Security Essentials - Review by PC World

It works well with viruse, trojan horses and spyware.

Note: I just tried downloading to an ASUS eee netbook. Security Essentials said invalid operating system! Its actually XP Home ULCPC version. Anyone hear about this?

For Detailed Instructions to Install see: How To Install Microsoft Security Essentials

Note: For those who need a software firewall, spam protection and other safeguards, I recommend Norton Internet Security 2012 or Endpoint

 

Using Microsoft-Security-Essentials

The picture below is of the lower right hand corner of my screen showing the green Microsoft-Security-Essentials Icon in the Windows system tray When the icon is green, it means that your definitions have been up to date, and that MS Security Essentials is protecting your computer.

If Icon (in circle) is green, then MS Security Essentials is working and updated.

If the icon is red, then you may need to take action. When you first turn your computer on, this is red frequently, but should turn green in a few minutes, once the definitions have been updated.

If it did not go "green", then right click the Icon, then click on Open

Right click MS Security Essentials Icon, then click Open

You should then get the below Image (Microsoft-Security-Essentials Contrl Panel)

From this control Panel, you can click on update (image below)

then click on the Update Box , if you r definitions were not up to date

You can also change your Scan Settings

What you see below is the default setting to scan once a week, with a quick scan (typically 20-30 minutes). If you select a full scan, then this may take up to 2 hours or more, depending one the number of files that you have.

 

Note: If you turn off your computer each day, then this scan cannot start until the computer is turned on. That would mean on Sunday morning, when you first turn your PC on, it will scan first! This will make your PC quite sluggish for awhile, every Sunday morning.

Your alternatives:

1.leave your PC on on Saturday night

2. Turn your PC on Sunday Morning, then go eat breakfast

3. Use it while sluggish, mumble and groan "What's wrong with this stupid thing!??!"

4. Change your scan settings to another day (then go back to step 1)

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Questions about Microsoft Security Essentials

 

Microsoft Security Essentials icon does not appear on the taskbar

How do I know that Microsoft Security Essentials is running on my PC?