Security Essentials Provides Free Antimalware

A free antimalware application for protecting Windows client PCs, Microsoft Security Essentials (previously code-named Morro), was released in Sept. 2009 and replaces the antimalware part of the discontinued Live OneCare. It may encourage more PC users to install security software but it requires Windows Genuine Advantage validation and offers basic capabilities but not complete protection. Security Essentials is restricted to home use while businesses will be encouraged to use Forefront Client Security.

Free, but Home Use Only

Security Essentials provides basic protection from malware—including viruses, spyware, rootkits, and Trojans—and updates are downloaded and applied automatically over the Internet. Real-time monitoring watches a PC continuously and alerts the user when it detects potential threats, such as an attempted installation or execution of a virus or spyware program. Users can configure actions to be taken, such as automatically removing or quarantining the suspicious item.