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Filed under: Security, Utilities, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware, Windows x64

Microsoft Security Essentials rated best free antivirus for Windows

Thousands of downloads. Countless positive reviews on software blogs around the Internet. It's been quite a ride so far for Microsoft Security Essentials.

In AV Comparative's most recent report on malware removal, MSE was the only free antivirus rated Advanced+. That ranking placed it alongside big names like Norton, Kaspersky, and F-Secure. Security Essentials also beat out technician favorite ESET, which managed only an Advanced rating.

It's also worth noting that only three antivirus apps - Norton 2010, eScan, and Security Essentials - scored marks of good or better in removal of malware and removal of leftovers. So not only has MSE beaten free competitors like AVG (version 8.5 tested, not 9.0), Avira, and Avast, it also posted test scores equal to or better than a dozen antivirus programs you'd have to pay for.

Well done, Microsoft!

[via Ars Technica]

Filed under: Security, Windows, Microsoft

Windows 7 UAC flaw-by-design now classified as malware by Microsoft?


Since we last brought you news about a UAC vulnerability in Windows 7, Microsoft opened their ears to the beta testers at the time and quickly released a patch that plugged the security hole.

However, another UAC flaw has been discovered in Windows 7. In fact, it's been quietly lurking around in the dark corners of the internet since February. What's different about this one is that not only does Microsoft not intend to fix the exploit, they're saying the functionality is by design, because UAC's primary purpose isn't security, or something like that.

I think.

After all, this whole situation would make a little more sense if Microsoft didn't just mark the popular proof-of-concept for this vulnerability as malware in the beta version of their new Microsoft Security Essentials software, as pictured above. Just to add a little more confusion to the situation, Windows Defender (another Microsoft security tool, which happens to be bundled with Windows 7) doesn't detect the exploit.

The verdict? It looks like the jury is hung on this one.

This vulnerability could be exploited to essentially circumvent UAC on some Windows 7 machines, and that's bad news. We'll keep you up-to-date with any developments on this security flaw.

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