14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft first revealed plans to deliver a free security solution designed to accompany its latest iteration of the Windows client to market in the second half of November 2008. Developed under the codename Morro, Microsoft Security Essentials was released almost a month ahead of the general availability of Windows 7 and is also designed to run on Windows Vista and Windows XP. The Redmond company made sure that Microsoft Security Essentials was tailored to Windows 7, and the security solution has made it among the exclusive list of the first anti-virus certification programs for the operating system.
Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 has earned both ICSA Labs Certification for detection and ICSA Labs Anti-Virus Certification for cleaning along with additional products from ESET, Norman, PC Tools and Webroot. Both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions of MSE 1.0 have been certified for Windows 7.
“The continuing onslaught of malicious code means it remains critically important that end-users have help maintaining the security of their operating systems, even on the newest ones," noted Andrew Hayter, anti-malcode program manager, ICSA Labs. “ICSA Labs works closely with product vendors and corporate users to develop thorough, up-to-date testing standards for anti-virus products. We provide continuing assurance on security products, with the overriding goal of helping end-users make informed buying decisions for their organizations."
When it comes down to malware detection, all security products from Microsoft, ESET, Norman, PC Tools and Webroot had to identify a variety of malicious code samples, including viruses, bots and worms for both desktops and servers. The ICSA Labs Anti-Virus Certification is a guarantee that none of the products certified produced false positives during testing. The anti-virus cleaning certification requirements involve the complete removal of malware from infected computers with no impact to user data or to the functionality of the operating system.
Products with ICSA Labs Certification for detection:
• ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 on Windows 7 64-bit • Microsoft Forefront Client Security on Windows 7 64-bit • Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit • Norman Security Suite on Windows 32-bit • PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus on Windows 7 32-bit • Webroot AntiVirus with SpySweeper on Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit. • Webroot Internet Security Essentials on Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit
Products with ICSA Labs Anti-Virus Certification for cleaning: • ESET Nod32 Antivirus on Windows 7 64-bit • Microsoft Forefront Client Security on Windows 7 64-bit • Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit • Webroot Internet Security Essentials on Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit • Webroot AntiVirus with SpySweeper on Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit
Microsoft Security Essentials is available for download here. Microsoft Forefront Client Security is available for download here. ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 is available for download here. PC Tools Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus is available for download here.