Image by Kristin Brenemen via Flickr

If you have never used anti virus Microsoft-style, you're not in for a surprise.  Windows Defender, included as an integral part of Windows 7 has the exact same interface. In fact, the Microsoft Security Essentials package, is designed to be a larger containing program that Windows Defender is to plug into. To make and maintain a free anti virus, Microsoft has to invest considerable resources; why do they do it? It could be because to begin with, Microsoft Security Essentials isn't actually an original product. It uses the same protection engine as the paid and profitable Microsoft Forefront product for businesses.
When you go to the website to download your own free copy, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that the whole download is no larger than 7MB. When you compare that with the 20 or 30MB downloads that other major antivirus packages require, it's a bit of a relief. But is the small volume it occupies any indication of lightweight performance? Or is MSE able to squeeze powerhouse performance out of a diminutive package?

One annoyance in going antivirus Microsoft style (or doing anything Microsoft style) is of course the ever-present Genuine Advantage Validation headache. Getting antivirus products from any competing service of course completely sidesteps this hiccup. Installing the software, the whole process doesn't have to take longer than 10 minutes - during which time, it installs itself, updates itself and scans your computer. Of course, this isn't a cloud antivirus package (more on this later), and so, it will need regular updating, a task it performs on its own, completely quietly, three times a day.

One of the best-loved features of the Security Essentials package is how it never employs the scare tactics beloved of other major antivirus makers who are always trying to pop up some ominous-sounding warning or the other. In a world where antivirus that halts your resources has become a popular pinata to computer enthusiasts and magazines to beat up on, the antivirus Microsoft makes certainly makes impressive steps forward. Even when scanning, which undoubtedly has to be the most computer-intensive process any antivirus can embark on, usage of your resources never exceeds 50%. It's a feature built into the software.

The moment any virus comes in, you get a little red warning box right above your system tray. The options you get are pretty simple - you get an option to clean your computer, and you get an option to first check out the impressively detailed virus information Microsoft has on the suspect. Once Security Essentials catches a virus, it right away sets out to look for a bunch of other related malware too. This just follows best practices in the trade - recognizing that viruses tend to travel in groups. One kind of virus will always attract other kinds of viruses.

When something suspicious comes up that Microsoft Security Essentials doesn't recognize - something brand-new that the service hasn't had time to issue an update for, do they just let it go? This is where MSE becomes a cloud antivirus program. When there is something suspicious that it doesn't have any definitions for, the program makes contact with Microsoft to check it out. An AV-Comparatives review of MSE gives it its the best possible rating - Advanced +. And that's a rating that's shared by only a couple of other antivirus packages out there. In protecting you from false alarms though, Microsoft stands second to none.

How Good an Idea is it to Get Anti Virus Microsoft Makes? is a post from:

Technorati Tags: microsoft anti virus

Every day new computer viruses are created to annoy us and to wreck havoc on our computer systems. Below are ten viruses currently cited as being the most prevalent in terms of being seen the most or in their ability to potentially cause damage.   New viruses are created daily.  This is by no means an all inclusive list. The best thing you can do is to remain vigilant, keep your anti-virus software updated, and stay aware of the current computer virus threats.

Virus:  Trojan.Lodear
A Trojan horse that attempts to download remote files. It will inject a .dll file into the EXPLORER.EXE process causing system instability.

Virus:  W32.Beagle.CO@mm
A mass-mailing worm that lowers security settings.  It can delete security-related registry sub keys and may block access to security-related websites.

Virus:  Backdoor.Zagaban
A Trojan horse that allows the compromised computer to be used as a covert proxy and which may degrade network performance.

Virus:    W32/Netsky-P
A mass-mailing worm which spreads by emailing itself to addresses produced from files on the local drives.

Virus:  W32/Mytob-GH
A mass-mailing worm and IRC backdoor Trojan for the Windows platform.  Messages sent by this worm will have the subject chosen randomly from a list including titles such as:  Notice of account limitation, Email Account Suspension, Security measures, Members Support, Important Notification.

Virus:  W32/Mytob-EX
A mass-mailing worm and IRC backdoor Trojan similar in nature to W32-Mytob-GH.  W32/Mytob-EX runs continuously in the background, providing a backdoor server which allows a remote intruder to gain access and control over the computer via IRC channels.  This virus spreads by sending itself to email attachments harvested from your email addresses.

Virus:  W32/Mytob-AS, Mytob-BE, Mytob-C, and Mytob-ER
This family of worm variations possesses similar characteristics in terms of what they can do.   They are mass-mailing worms with backdoor functionality that can be controlled through the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) network.   Additionally, they can spread through email and through various operating system vulnerabilities such as the LSASS (MS04-011).

Virus:  Zafi-D
A mass mailing worm and a peer-to-peer worm which copies itself to the Windows system folder with the filename Norton Update.exe.  It can then create a number of files in the Windows system folder with filenames consisting of 8 random characters and a DLL extension.  W32/Zafi-D copies itself to folders with names containing share, upload, or music as ICQ 2005a new!.exe or winamp 5.7 new!.exe. W32/Zafi-D will also display a fake error message box with the caption "CRC: 04F6Bh" and the text "Error in packed file!".

Virus:  W32/Netsky-D
A mass-mailing worm with IRC backdoor functionality which can also infect computers vulnerable to the LSASS (MS04-011) exploit.

Virus:    W32/Zafi-B
A peer-to-peer (P2P) and email worm that will copy itself to the Windows system folder as a randomly named EXE file. This worm will test for the presence of an internet connection by attempting to connect to www.google.com or www.microsoft.com.  A bilingual, worm with an attached Hungarian political text message box which translates to “We demand that the government accommodates the homeless, tightens up the penal code and VOTES FOR THE DEATH PENALTY to cut down the increasing crime. Jun. 2004, Pécs (SNAF Team)”

Computer Viruses that Come a Callin’ is a post from:

Technorati Tags: Virus