Saving Money on Security Products

By Cameron Evans On September 30, 2009 · 1 Comment

I let my Kaspersky license expire. For the last 30 days, it diligently kept popping up a notice asking me to renew. I would simply update the virus engine, signatures list, and dismiss the notice. When you have more than three computers at home, you quickly realize that maintaining antivirus software is a bit of a chore and cost money.

Frankly, I was waiting on Morro. Morro was the codename for the next-generation of Windows OneCare security software. Well, tomorrow finally came and Microsoft Security Essentials (formerly codenamed Morro) is here. The best news is it’s free*. Your students and faculty will love the price. It works on Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

So why do I trust Microsoft Security Essentials on my personal computers? Why would I recommend it to my mother to put on her computer, so that she doesn’t call me for technical support? Why would I put it on my bride’s laptop, who loves to look at me sideways if her PC slows down after I install something? These are the real questions that I use for software evaluations. The technical merits are a distant third.

For me the answer is two-fold and simple. First, MSE (we love our acronyms) is built on Microsoft Forefront Client Security (FCS) technologies. It’s a malware detection and restoration security client. Basically, MSE is a no-frills version of the same security technology I use on my work laptop. Microsoft IT trusts FCS to protect my data and their data, so I trust MSE to protect my personal computers and data. The second answer is that it is compatible with Windows 7 and backwards to Windows XP SP2. It’s hard to find a security product that is ready for Windows 7 right now.

Lastly, I like that my security software will update with the Microsoft Update Service. Part of the reason malware remains a problem is that you can update and service your OS while other programs remain un-serviced. This is true with Apple QuickTime, RealPlayer, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Flash, and Java. These are clearly popular programs that a lot of people need, but they all must be updated and serviced manually. You could allow their update services to run in the background. However, if you are not watchful of the update, you can download additional apps that you neither expected or wanted.

Hopefully, Microsoft Security Essentials will be a compelling offering for consumers. Consumers will benefit from both a performance and price perspective. That benefit should translate into a reduction of Windows piracy around the globe. Pirated versions of Microsoft software almost always come with some malicious malware. These pirated and unprotected machines are the source of many viral outbreaks that find other unprotected clients via the Internet. Microsoft Security Essentials is a clear step in helping reduce malware in general and reducing piracy overall.

After I install it, I’ll provide an update on the experience. If you install and tell me your experience, I’ll share with you what my mother and bride said about it.

* Define free: You must have a Genuine copy of the Windows client installed on your PC to install Microsoft Security Essentials. I’m sure you figured that out, right?