Microsoft Security Essentials now available in India

BANGALORE, INDIA: The burgeoning online landscape has a population of 49 million internet users in India; out of which 44 million use emails and close to 25 million browse the internet every day. The flip side of this proliferation is that between January to June 2009 3286 Indian websites were hacked, over 4000 Indian portals were defaced in 2008 and between April to December 2008 phishing reported loss of Rs 46.6 crore ($ 10 million).

Such is the internet ecosystem, where security threats evolve with increasing users. This calls for an effective, high quality, hassle-free security solution that consumers can trust - Microsoft Security Essentials is all that and more. Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. today announced the availability of Microsoft Security Essentials to all genuine Windows users.

Already established as a ‘Good’ anti-virus software, Microsoft Security Essentials responds to the growing and changing threat landscape and helps to break down the barriers to real time protection. The result is security consumers can trust, easy to get, easy to use, quiet, hassle free protection. Available on genuine Windows software, it delivers a trusted no-cost security solution that will raise protection across the Windows ecosystem and help consumers better enjoy their Windows experience.

Existing Windows users and consumers buying a new PC that is enabled with a Windows operating system can acquire Microsoft Security Essentials on the microsoft site.

Announcing the launch of Microsoft Security Essentials, Rishi Srivastava, Consumer and Online Marketing Officer, Microsoft India said, “As threats like phishing, malware and spyware attacks are evolving, an effective security solution has become paramount to consumers. With Microsoft Security Essentials we have anticipated consumers’ security needs and delivered a hassle free and non-intrusive form of protection to PC users: it addresses the security concerns by offering consumers a real-time, high-quality protection that is easy to get and easy to use. MSE’s availability as part of the Windows Genuine Advantage builds affinity to the delightful experience that comes with genuine Windows.”

Speaking on the security environment, Dr G Rai, Director General, CERT-India said, “In an environment where Malware and phishing are two of the biggest socially engineered threats to online consumers, be it at home or at work, an effective, real-time, high-quality and yet non-intrusive protection is the need of the hour. Security awareness has been increasing among consumers with rising traffic on SecureYourPC site on CERT-In portal and Microsoft Security Essentials will help consumers, as an industry certified malware protection tool. Being a free of cost security option for Genuine Windows users just adds to its many advantages for the consumers.”

The core objective of Microsoft Security Essentials is to cater to the need for real-time protection from a trusted source, as threats facing online consumers continue to grow and evolve. With Microsoft Security Essentials, consumers can feel safe knowing they are using Industry certified anti-malware solution backed by Microsoft’s leading Security Response resources.

Microsoft Security Essentials is dedicated to protecting its customers with features such as a Monthly ecosystem cleaning with Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) which checks computers for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software and helps remove any infection found; Update Tuesday feature enables users to automatically update the operating system with the latest security updates and Windows Activation Technologies (Formerly Windows Genuine Advantage)  is a tool where an end user can validate his Windows machines.

With Microsoft Security Essentials, 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. For business customers, Microsoft continues to offer Forefront Client Security, providing centralized, comprehensive management and reporting capabilities.