Inside Microsoft's anti-virus

Microsoft recently officially announced its free, real-time consumer anti-malware solution for fighting viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans.

Termed Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE), it aims to help users fight the threats that plague Windows PCs which are traditionally considered more prone to malware attacks than their Mac and Linux brethrens.

Microsoft described MSE as "a no-cost anti-malware solution that provides consumers with quality protection from threats including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans."

Here's a peek into the Microsoft's free security software.

Previously code-named 'Morro', MSE is the company's new anti-virus/anti-spyware for basic use. The programme replaces subscription-based OneCare service.

A beta of MSE was released recently in English and Brazilian Portuguese for public download at microsoft.com/security_essentials for the first 75,000 users.

The company is likely to release a second public build, either a Beta Refresh or a Release Candidate by September. Microsoft aims to release the final product "before the end of the year".

While OneCare offered a Managed Firewall, PC Performance Tuning, Data Backup and Restore, Multi-PC Management, and Printer Sharing, MSE is reportedly closer to Forefront Client Security, Microsoft's antivirus product for the enterprise.

MSE will not have some of OneCare's features such as backup management, wireless network management and optimisation.

MSE will offer antivirus basics, including built-in and customisable scan options, a scheduler, automatic definition file updates, a real-time defense shield and rootkit protection. Unlike Windows Live OneCare, MSE will not require a Windows Live ID, or any personal information. It will however, require WGA validation

Available free of cost, the programme is thrifty on resource usage, making it ideal for low-bandwidth scenarios as well as on less powerful PCs. According to Microsoft it is suitable for even low-powered PCs such as Netbooks.

The software weighs in a rough 3MB for a 32-bit version and 7MB for a 64-bit version.


According to reports, Microsoft Security Essentials comes with a new feature called Dynamic Signature Service that checks for malware even before the malware's specific signature has been identified.

Microsoft says Security Essentials copies the behaviour of programmes before they run, and uses the signature created during the process to look for any suspicious behaviour. The Dynamic Signature Service then determines what action needs to be taken against the potential malware.

The programme also offers real-time protection, and warns if a user is downloading malware or if the system has been infected. The software scans the system once a week by default. MSE will compete with rival subscription programmes from McAfee and Symantec and with several other free packages.