Microsoft releases new malware solution

Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft's new no-cost, core anti-malware service that helps protect consumers against viruses, spyware and other malicious software, will be available tomorrow.

Microsoft Security Essentials is built on the same core security technology as the company's security solutions for businesses. It requires no registration, trials or renewals and will be available for download directly.

"Consumers have told us that they want the protection of real-time security software, but we know that many are unwilling to pay for it. With Microsoft Security Essentials, consumers can get free high-quality protection that is easy to get and easy to use," says Ben Green, Windows Client Business Group Manager, Microsoft New Zealand.

Making Microsoft Security Essentials broadly available as a free consumer download for genuine Windows-based PCs is part of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to provide a more trustworthy computing experience for all customers. By making Microsoft Security Essentials easy to get and easy to use, Microsoft hopes to encourage broader adoption of anti-virus protection across the consumer audience, which in turn will help increase security across the entire Windows ecosystem.

The download is designed to run quietly in the background alerting users only when there is an action for them to take. It also limits CPU and memory usage, resulting in less impact on the tasks consumers perform every day such as opening documents or browser windows or loading search results, even on older or less powerful PCs.Microsoft Security Essentials will be available for Windows XP SP2 or SP3, Windows Vista and Windows 7 including Windows XP mode on both x32 and x64 PCs. More information about Microsoft Security Essentials and the product download is available.