Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 available for download

Microsoft has released the second engine of their free anti-malware program which now also comes with heuristic analysis.

With unusual discretion, at least for the moment, Microsoft has placed version 2.0 of their Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus online. This solution is free for home users and businesses with less than 10 computers, although the copy of Windows installed on the PC has to be authentic.

During the MSE 2.0 beta tests, Microsoft announced a few new features to be introduced:

• A new protection engine with improved detection and cleaning performance
• Possibility of activating or disabling the Windows firewall during the installation process
• Integration of MSE into Internet Explorer to provide protection against Web threats
• Protection against network based exploitations

The protection against exploitations originating from a connected network is not available in Windows XP. The inspection mechanism requires the Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) which is only available in Windows Vista and Windows 7.

When browsing through MSE 2.0’s settings, we notice a few changes. For real time protection, behavioural analysis (heuristic) has been added along with the network inspection system. Through the task scheduler, it is possible to limit the programs processor’s use to a certain percentage during a scan. In the advanced settings, an option allows you to delete files placed into quarantine after a certain amount of time.

Download Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0