Microsoft Security Essentials

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What is Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials is a lightweight and unobtrusive security package design to provide an anti-malware protection package capable of protecting computers that are using XP, Vista and Windows 7. The package is not currently available for Windows 8, primarily because Windows 8 comes with a version of Windows Defender that has been adequately enhanced for optimum protection.

According to Microsoft, the program is designed to provide significant and comprehensive defense against routine malware and code attacks. This proclamation comes at the heels of some assertions that the program only provides first tier defense and is not significant for adequate protection.

It is worth mentioning that any free anti-virus or anti-malware program will not be completely comprehensive because that would leave the manufacturer with nowhere to go with a pro version of the program. As long as Microsoft Security Essentials is compared to the performance of paid programs, it will fall considerably short. Users must be able to determine the types of risks that they will be exposing their system to and act accordingly.

When you consider the fact that many browsers have built in protection, there are situations in which Microsoft Security Essentials will be an adequate security system.

Light Weight and Non-Intrusive

In testing the system, the one that is certain is that this is the most lightweight and non-intrusive security program created thus far. At no time during the process of testing this program did it slow the system down or give any other indication that it was running in the background. For the light user, this is a plus. It provides the appropriate amount of protection without interfering with the performance of the system.

The only indication that this program is running is that the definitions it produces will sometimes appear in the list of available software updates, which is not a bad thing.

Easy to Use Interface

One of the major concerns with many new software programs is the ease of use element. There is not too much more frustrating for a computer user than to download software and open it only to find out that they need a degree in rocket science to operate it. There is no such issue associated with this program.

If I had to single out one specific element that makes this program to stand out, it would be the user interface. The simple tab-based interface is highly intuitive, allowing the user to engage its lightweight features with ease and efficiency. The tabs allow you to control scans and updates. For slightly more elaborate options, the user can access the settings tabs. For users who are looking for a feature-rich program, they will be disappointed.

The program does lack the more advanced options such as file shredders and a registry scanner.

What many novice users will probably appreciate about the program is the fact that the program has some sensible default settings, making it ideal for plug and play purposes.

Pros:

• Lightweight and unobtrusive
• Intuitive and easy to use interface
• Light load on system
• Does not interfere with performance for the most part
• Good freeware program
• Pre-configured with some sensible default settings, making it easy for novice users to operate.

Cons:

• Light on features, leaving a little to be desired
• No true advanced options