GrokSurf's San Diego

For my family I have several layers of security for our PCs, one of which is McAfee’s Total Protection software. Our one-year policy, which costs $49 for a three-PC license, will expire in a few months and I wanted to do a little checking around before renewing for another year, although I have been satisfied with McAfee’s product and online support thus far.

So it was good timing to find that Microsoft just released a free antivirus product for Windows-based computers: Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE).

• Microsoft Security Essentials download page
• Ars Technica review
• Paul Thurrott’s review
• TechXAV review

I’m leaning in the direction of a change, although it appears Microsoft Security Essentials will only include antivirus and antispyware protection, as this Norton YouTube post suggests:

They probably have a point: even ZoneAlarm, which in the old days was a very reliable and free security product, now charges for its comprehensive coverage.

Still, the extra features from the fee-based services aren’t necessarily must-have security beyond what MSE provides. Do read the comments in the above reviews (especially the Ars Technica one) to get a good picture of the related issues.

In any event, if you choose to give MSE a try, be sure to disable your currently running antivirus program first. As with most antivirals, it can’t run concurrently with other antivirals.