Microsoft today released it's new Security Essentials Software which they say " provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software."
This is free software which I have been running ( a beta copy ) on one of my systems for a while now and during that time have not had an issue and been extremely impressed. I also follow the golden rules for surfing the internet.
So who would switch to this and why.
Well if you run one of the alternative free software antivirus ( AVG , Comodo ) you should look at swapping because this solution should fit well within the Windows environment because let's be honest here , nobody knows Windows better than Microsoft.Virus's are written to exploit holes in the Windows Operating system and that is why you need to update and patch your system.Logic would then dictate that the Security Essentials Software would fit " hand in glove " with the operating system.
So lets look at the installation of this.
Go to the Security Essentials Software page
Click on the download now button.
You will then be asked whether you want to save or run the file.
You will of course want to save the file and place it in your download folder.
You will get a message when the file has downloaded
Go to your download folder and run ( double click ) the file to start the installation
If using Vista or Windows 7 you will be asked whether you want to run the file and of course you will say yes.
You will then be greeted with the welcome screen to begin installation
You will need to accept the license agreement
To make sure you have a genuine copy of Windows you will also have a validation page to navigate and accept
You will then be greeted with a " ready to install " page reminding you that you can and should have only one copy of an antivirus solution on your computer.
If you have not done so now is the time to quit and uninstall ( properly ) your previous antivirus software.
Click on install
After installation the following screen will appear
Now click on finish and the next screen will appear
The software then updates to the latest installation and then does a quick scan of your computer
You will then be presented with a screen on the results that were discovered by the software
That is all you have to do.
If you look down in the tray in the bottom right hand side of your screen you will see the icon for " security essentials " and remember if it is green , all is good.