While going through my usual routine of Tech site trolling, I came across the article showing the new Security Essentials, finally coming out of Beta and free to download for public use.
Since the time of XP, Window's native security features were almost non-existent. With the launch of Windows Vista, which although received a cold reception, it proved that world's most vulnerable OS has found something to protect its klutzy self. (Yes I'm a Linux Fanboy :bleh: )
Vista implemented security on various levels, the much-hated User Access Control Center, which with Windows 7, has been improved a lot.
The Windows Defender, the native protection tool for security against spywares and viruses and such. Then we also saw the Malicious Software Removal tool. It was also supposed to work as an Anti-Spyware and Trojan Remover but till now, on my system, it hasn't done anything and for that I think credit goes to Avast and Spybot, both running 24/7 on my system.
With the launch of Security Essentials, Microsoft aims to provide a complete security package for its users, straight out of the box. With the advent of Windows 7's launch, this move makes sense.
Now onto the software itself.
The setup is available for download at the Microsoft's site. Link is also present here. It comes for all the flavors of currently available client OS provided by Microsoft.
I am currently running Vista Ultimate 64-bit SP2 so the 64-bit was my choice. The installer package is of 4.71MB in size.
Like all Microsoft products, it too verifies your copy of Windows for Authenticity and then proceeds with install. The system requirements for this application as mentioned on the Microsoft's site are:
First of all, as many of you would have guessed by now, the setup itself contains no signature files or database. It downloads them on its initial run so a good Internet connection is required.
Second thing I noticed was that, upon running, it disabled the Windows Defender, which I later activated manually. Not a good thing to do Mr.Gates :no:
Even while writing this review, Windows Defender was turned off twice, guess they both can't just along.
Now lets come to the peepshow.
The Home Screen
The thing that I really liked about this software was the ease of access and use while creating file and program exception. Following pics will show that.
Like all other AntiVirus tools, it too has scheduled scan settings and the advanced settings for Removable media scanning and sort.
Besides these settings for Real time scan and actions after detection, all can be defined and configured using the self-explanatory GUI.
A few more screen shots
The total scan time took nearly 3 and Half hours, pretty fast as compared to Avast's run-time scan and it detected various Trojans and viruses that I keep in my repository.So my final words for this are summarized as below.
Pros-
Cons-
As of now the best thing I found about it besides it being fast, was that it has no compatibility issues with already running protection suites like Avast and Spybot. No McAfee-Norton slugfest here. :rofl: So right now, I rate it 4/5. Happy with its performance and service. Suggestions, corrections, criticism, everything welcomed. :cool2:
Since the time of XP, Window's native security features were almost non-existent. With the launch of Windows Vista, which although received a cold reception, it proved that world's most vulnerable OS has found something to protect its klutzy self. (Yes I'm a Linux Fanboy :bleh: )
Vista implemented security on various levels, the much-hated User Access Control Center, which with Windows 7, has been improved a lot.
The Windows Defender, the native protection tool for security against spywares and viruses and such. Then we also saw the Malicious Software Removal tool. It was also supposed to work as an Anti-Spyware and Trojan Remover but till now, on my system, it hasn't done anything and for that I think credit goes to Avast and Spybot, both running 24/7 on my system.
With the launch of Security Essentials, Microsoft aims to provide a complete security package for its users, straight out of the box. With the advent of Windows 7's launch, this move makes sense.
Now onto the software itself.
The setup is available for download at the Microsoft's site. Link is also present here. It comes for all the flavors of currently available client OS provided by Microsoft.
- Windows XP 32-bit (No mention of 64-bit version but I suspect that XP x64 SP1 will be able to handle it.)
- Windows Vista/Windows 7 32-bit
- Windows Vista/Windows 7 64-bit
I am currently running Vista Ultimate 64-bit SP2 so the 64-bit was my choice. The installer package is of 4.71MB in size.
Like all Microsoft products, it too verifies your copy of Windows for Authenticity and then proceeds with install. The system requirements for this application as mentioned on the Microsoft's site are:
Now the installation is fairly simple and small but things start happening when the actual software runs.
First of all, as many of you would have guessed by now, the setup itself contains no signature files or database. It downloads them on its initial run so a good Internet connection is required.
Second thing I noticed was that, upon running, it disabled the Windows Defender, which I later activated manually. Not a good thing to do Mr.Gates :no:
Even while writing this review, Windows Defender was turned off twice, guess they both can't just along.
Now lets come to the peepshow.
The Home Screen
The thing that I really liked about this software was the ease of access and use while creating file and program exception. Following pics will show that.
Like all other AntiVirus tools, it too has scheduled scan settings and the advanced settings for Removable media scanning and sort.
Besides these settings for Real time scan and actions after detection, all can be defined and configured using the self-explanatory GUI.
A few more screen shots
The total scan time took nearly 3 and Half hours, pretty fast as compared to Avast's run-time scan and it detected various Trojans and viruses that I keep in my repository.
So my final words for this are summarized as below.Pros-
- Lightweight
- Not Resource hungry, even during full-system scan, neither the system was bogged down or the usage went up more than 25%.
- Fast
- Free
Cons-
- No Automatic Update like Avast, Scheduled ones like AVG. This creates problem in Indian scenario where there is no assurance of Power or connectivity. It resorts us to do manual updates.
- Turns off other Window's features like Defender
As of now the best thing I found about it besides it being fast, was that it has no compatibility issues with already running protection suites like Avast and Spybot. No McAfee-Norton slugfest here. :rofl: So right now, I rate it 4/5. Happy with its performance and service. Suggestions, corrections, criticism, everything welcomed. :cool2:
