Microsoft unveils Security Essentials in beta

BANGALORE, INDIA: In an effort to take on the players in the field of anti-virus software, IT major Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it has released the beta version of Security Essentials.

Just a week ago the company had announced that its going to unveil a long-anticipated free anti-virus service for personal computers to compete with the already established players like Symantec Corp and McAfee Inc.

A write-up on the Microsoft website read, “With Microsoft Security Essentials Beta, you get high-quality protection against viruses and spyware, including Trojans, worms and other malicious software. And best of all, there are no costs or annoying subscriptions to keep track of.”

It further added that the beta version is available only to customers in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel (English only), People’s Republic of China (Simplified Chinese only) and Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese only).

The software is designed to replace the Windows Defender tool that Microsoft released in 2007, but which was widely derided as being inadequate to protect computers from the constant and ever-evolving threats posed by hackers.