http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/29/microsoft-security-essentials-anti-virus-software-is-now-live-an/

And download here.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Thanks for the heads up. I'm using Avast! now, and it seems to do a good job (and also free). Is there any good reason to switch? I don't follow these things as carefully as I should. Thanks.

chas

I'm using the latest, free version of AVG. I guess I'll stick with it unless there's a major advantage by switching.

Thanks for the heads up,

Gary

AVG Free is just straight anti virus software. Where Microsoft's package has anti-virus, spyware and malware all built in.

So it would be a far better choice.

What's a virus? Is spyware a way to look at James Bond movies for free? Is malware some kind of oven-proof cookware?

I'm on a Mac, so you'll have to explain all this stuff for me...

Hi Diki
Virus writers target the most popular OS, so you’re reasonably safe at the moment.

Spyware gets in through the browser and can get information about what you do when you use your browser, and affect all OS. (Mac included)

Malware is similar to Spyware and again uses the browser, so is OS independent.

BTW unless you have protection installed you would not know what is going on with your computer, as all the nasty are designed to do their stuff without your knowledge.

Hope this helps

Bill

Try looking up the word 'scareware'...

There's a program called Little Snitch for the Mac. It tracks every time anything whatsoever gets sent OUT by my Mac. It tracks what and where it goes to. And, other than legitimate calls to programs I own, and cookies I personally allow, NOTHING is currently leaving my computer that I don't know about.

At present, despite a decade or more on broadband without any protection whatsoever other than the basic OSX software firewall, my Mac isn't sending out a damn thing I haven't allowed.

The truth is, hackers would LOVE to malware the Mac up, just for the challenge. But they don't attack systems that are the most numerous... they attack systems that are the EASIEST to compromise.

It's simple to find Mac/Windows comparisons that come to many different conclusions. But where it comes to malware, viruses and spyware, there's clear advantage to the Mac (what we were talking about on this thread, anyway!). Interesting to note this article didn't mention what is such a frustrating topic at all...

I have a simple, clear challenge to anyone that thinks the PC is no more vulnerable to malware as a Mac is...

Turn off ALL your virus checkers, spyware protection and malware blockers. Remove them ALL (best of luck even doing THAT simple task!). Now join me out on the web for a couple of months, with nothing more than a software firewall. Surf your brains out. Maybe even do a little Limewire surfing... click on any ad that grabs your attention..! Visit a porn site (don't tell the wife ).

Scared? You SHOULD be...

Scared? I'm simply terrified.

Seriously, it's nice if you're happy with the Mac...you've obviously made a good choice for what fills your needs....you may go to the head of class, and get an apple...wait...you already have one.

Good for you.

I'm very happy with my Windows XP, my Toshiba Satellite Pro Laptop, and AVG Anti-Virus (free version).

I've never had virus problems...ever.

What I use fits my needs perfectly.

No need to change.



[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 09-30-2009).]