Real-time protection: Microsoft Security Essentials addresses potential security threats before they become a problem.

What are the key features of Microsoft Security Essentials? The publisher recommends that you move to Windows 10 or Windows 11, so you can benefit from the built-in Windows Defender Antivirus. Note: As stated by Microsoft, this software is no longer supported for Windows 7 since January 14th 2020. The software is programmable to run scans at set intervals, including monthly and annually. It was originally designed for Windows XP, and later made available for Windows Vista and Windows 7. Besides being able to detect malicious software that is trying to infiltrate your data, it also blocks them by activating or increasing the firewall mode (while connected to the internet).

No matter how careful you are online, it’s unlikely that you can avoid every single misleading link, phishing scheme, malicious popup and hidden malvertisement that comes your way, and an AV suite is much cheaper than losing all your files.Microsoft Security Essentials is an antivirus software developed by Microsoft. Whichever program you choose, just be sure you protect your system somehow. However, MSE, which can be downloaded for Windows 7 and Windows Vista here (opens in new tab), did better than each in the malware-protection sector. Every program scored at least a 10 across the board, which earns it an AV-TEST Certification and (at least tentative) recommendation. In fact, even if you have the three lowest-ranking programs, you're probably still protected pretty well.

If you have any of these programs, you probably don't need to worry much about your system's security. Credit: Microsoft)Īside from Microsoft, all the other programs tested fell between 16.5 and 14.5: AhnLab V3 Internet Security, Avast Free Antivirus, AVG Internet Security, Avira Antivirus Pro, BullGuard Internet Security, ESET Internet Security, G Data InternetSecurity, K7 Computing Total Security and ThreatTrack VIPRE Internet Security Pro.

(Image credit: The home screen of Microsoft Security Essentials.

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