Microsoft ready with free antivirus

Security Essentials" protect Windows PCs against viruses and spyware.

From yesterday afternoon is a free security package available for download from the Microsoft Web site: Security Essentials.

The package includes antivirus and antispyware software for current versions of Windows. It updates itself automatically, and does not require that the user signs up. The purpose is to reach the many Windows users today do not have protection against malicious code. It is not intended to substitute for products aimed at corporate PCs.

Security Essentials - often abbreviated to MSE - requires Windows XP with SP2 or SP3, or Vista or Windows 7.

After the press reactions to judge the MSE is mainly positively received by the beta users.
The reaction from companies that sell antivirus to consumer and SMB market is, as expected, negative. Both Symantec, Trend Micro and McAffee's been open with statements where MSE stamped as inferior.