Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials

By: Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Security Essentials provides protection against viruses for Windows 7 and Vista devices. On Windows 8 and 8.1, it is called Windows Defender. It features real-time protection, online system cleaning and scanning, dynamic signature service, offline system cleaning and scanning, enhanced protection, and more. It is provided for free as part of the Windows OS.

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Top Microsoft Security Essentials Alternatives
  • VirusTotal
  • Bitdefender
  • FortiClient
  • Norton Security
  • Comodo
  • Webroot
  • Dr.Web
  • AVG AntiVirus FREE
  • Panda Antivirus
  • SpyBot
  • SpyHunter
  • Avira Free Antivirus
  • ESET NOD32 Antivirus
  • TotalAV
  • Adguard
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Top Microsoft Security Essentials Alternatives and Overview

1

VirusTotal

VirusTotal is one of the online scanning platforms that lets users stay away from malwares and dangerous links by providing them with a powerful scan.

By: VirusTotal
Based on 17 Votes
2

Bitdefender

Bitdefender is an antivirus software for Windows that provides best protection and best performance for your device.

By: Bitdefender From Romania
3

FortiClient

FortiClient is a free antivirus, anti-rootkit, and anti-malware software, with free web filtering, VPN, and IPsec.

By: Fortinet, Inc From USA
Based on 13 Votes
4

Norton Security

Norton Security is an antivirus software created by Norton, with support for PC, Mac, smartphone, and tablet devices.

By: Symantec Corporation From USA
Based on 215 Votes
5

Comodo

Comodo provides free antivirus protection for Linux, Mac, and Windows platforms.

By: Comodo Security Solutions, Inc. From USA
6

Webroot

Webroot provides fastest PC and Mac virus protection with SecureAnywhere AntiVirus.

By: Webroot Inc. From USA
7

Dr.Web

Web is an anti-virus software that offers the highest security to its users by using...

By: Dr.Web
Based on 3 Votes
8

AVG AntiVirus FREE

It features antivirus protection, link protection, email protection, online shield, data safe, more frequent auto-updates...

By: AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. From Czech Republic
9

Panda Antivirus

It features antivirus, rescue kit, firewall, Wi-Fi protection, parental control, password manager, file encryption, file...

By: Panda Security S.L. From Spain
10

SpyBot

The complete package of solutions is supported by a robust algorithm that is well equipped...

By: Safer-Networking
Based on 17 Votes
11

SpyHunter

The SpyHunter software is equipped to remove the hardest to identify and powerful malware programs...

By: Enigma Software Group USA
Based on 2 Votes
12

Avira Free Antivirus

It features antivirus scanner, browser tracking blocker, real-time cloud protection, safe browsing, and more...

By: Avira Operations GmbH & Co. KG From Germany
13

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

It features antivirus, antispyware, anti-phishing, gamer mode, social media scanner, exploit blocker, advanced memory scanner...

By: ESET spol. s r.o. From USA
14

TotalAV

The software provides its customers with a large number of security tools and innovative features...

By: TotalAV
Based on 3 Votes
15

Adguard

It prevents websites from tracking personal data and upholds the privacy and safety of the...

By: Adguard
Based on 29 Votes

Microsoft Security Essentials Review and Overview

Since the dawn of the internet, computer viruses and infections have drastically increased, affecting millions of machines every day. To protect our PC and other devices against them, we take refuge in using anti-virus or anti-malware software, which helps us to clean these infections.

Among them, there is a default free service offered by Windows called Microsoft Windows Security Essentials. This is the default anti-virus service that was provided in Windows 7. It was initially released in 2009. Before the release of version 4.5, it was used on other Windows versions like XP, and Vista, but it was changed to Windows Defender in the later version of Windows like 8, 8.1 and Win 10.

Microsoft Security Essential Antivirus Features

In the initial phase, Security Essential had a lot of competition from other security service providers. Owing to its sleek UI, Security Essential did get the upper hand. The amount of resource consumption was also on the low side with a lesser false positive. This made it popular among regular folks who wanted a basic anti-virus without any brake on other system processes and spending big money. The ratings received in the certification tests across the globe were decent for Security Essential.

In the list of features, Microsoft Security Essential offers basic real-time protection, different scans, quarantine vault, diagnostic tools, and other endpoint services. The interface is quite simple. The real-time protection scans the files in the memory and points out any infections, if any. If any threats are scanned, it will prompt to act, which includes either removing the virus or allowing it.

Users can switch to the quarantine vault to see the list of infected items locked by Security Essential. After that, take the necessary actions. When the users remove a threat, the program automatically takes backup of the system via restore point. Microsoft Security Essential is also linked to the MS database, which collects all the data across various devices with different types of threat signatures. Overall, Security Essential truly is a basic and simple anti-virus program to get rid of computer infection on the Windows system, all at free cost and minimal resource consumption.

Company Information

Company Name: Microsoft Corporation

Company Address: 1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA, USA

Founded in: 1975

Top Features

Core Features
  • Real-time Protection
  • Scanning System
  • Full Scanning
  • Custom Scanning
  • Quick Scanning
  • Quarantine Cleaning
  • Integrate Windows Firewall
  • Dynamic Signature Service
  • Rootkit Protection
  • Spyware & Virus Protection
  • Offline System Scanning
  • Offline System Cleaning
  • Enhanced Protection