Microsoft Security Essentials

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Microsoft has released a limited beta version of Microsoft Security Essentials, a free antivirus application for users of Windows XP, Vista, or the new Windows 7. The new app, which will replace Windows Live OneCare, aims to cover the basic security needs of home users, and its easy-to-use interface appears to be taking the right approach to the task. When you launch Microsoft Security Essentials, the program downloads and installs Microsoft's most up-to-date virus definitions and then scans your system. Once installed, the software keeps current by automatically downloading new virus definitions daily via Windows Update.

The Microsoft Security Essentials interface is clear-cut and cleanly designed. At the top of the window, you'll see your computer's protection status--protected, partially protected, or unprotected. Everything else appears in four tabs: Home (which shows you an overview of your settings, and has a Scan Now button), Update (where you can manually update your virus-definition files), History (which logs all of the malware cleaned from your system) and Settings (self-explanatory).

Washington Post