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

Microsoft Security Essentials tested, passes with flying colors



Regular Download Squad readers already know that I've been testing Microsoft's new Security Essentials since it first appeared in the wild last week and that I've been quite impressed with it so far. Some commenters weren't impressed, however, waving the NOD32 flag even though SE removed threats from my machine that NOD had missed.

AV-Test Labs has now put SE through a slightly more grueling test than scanning my piddly PC. They threw 3,200 different bots, trojans, and viruses along with a slew of items designed to trigger false positives and Security Essentials was up for the task.

In an email to Computerworld, Andreas Marx of AV-Test reported "All files were properly detected and treated by the product," said Marx in an e-mail. "That's good, as several other [antivirus] scanners are still not able to detect and kill all of these critters yet. None of the clean files were noted as malicious." The program was also able to tackle rootkits, though AV-Test will put it through more comprehensive testing before making a verdict on that particular ability.

Marx also addressed the concerns that SE was using Microsoft's own servers for cloud-based scanning. "The scanner works with the locally-installed anti-virus and anti-spyware databases -- it doesn't appear to use 'in-the-cloud scanning' methods," he stated.

If you missed out on the original download from Microsoft, don't fret. The nice folks at Softpedia have mirrored the SE files for you.

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

Microsoft Security Essentials public beta now available to download


It leaked last week, but it didn't take long for Microsoft to follow up with a legitimate download for interested testers: the download page for Microsoft Security Essentials (formerly Moro) is now live.

You'll need to sign in with your Connect account or register for a new one to gain access to the download - for now. There will no doubt be hundreds of happy seeders sharing the Beta on torrent trackers later today.

Microsoft had originally slated only 75,000 spots for beta testers, though they have since announced that the number will be increased to accomodate demand. Interest will likely be high considering the generally positive reviews SE has generated since we first got our hands on it.

We've got a big gallery of screenshots of SE in action, including it detecting the trojan that I *ahem* intentionally left on my machine so I could test the program fully. I've been very happy so far with SE's level of protection and low impact on system performance.

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

Microsoft Security Essentials (Morro) leaked - here it is in action.

Remember yesterday when I said we all knew a Morro leak was coming? Ba-da-bing!

Less than 24 hours later, there's a torrent available on one of the Internet's favorite sites (which shall remain nameless until someone inevitably posts it in the comments). At last, we've got a leaked MS antivirus tool to remove trojans from our leaked Windows 7 builds!

The download is tiny. The XP version is just under 8MB while Vista's installer is less than 5MB. It looks as though SE will provide solid protection for Windows systems, and it includes all the features you'd expect from this type of app like scheduled scanning and updates, customizable default actions, context menu integration, and exclusions. Idling, SE uses less than 4MB memory when idle and between 2-6% CPU and no more than 8MB when running a full scan on Windows 7.

I've got some more screenshots today as a result, but be warned: they're really not that much more exciting than what you saw yesterday. You can check them out after the break.

Edit: because of my recent irresponsible surfing, you can see SE catching and removing a trojan. w00t!
Edit: Worth mentioning that my system was running NOD32 up until now. Unsure why it never spotted the trojan.

Make sure you read the EULA before installing - it clearly states that you'll only be able to recover $5US if something goes horribly wrong with the program.

Thanks for the heads up, Paul @ MoDaCo!

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