Facebook Plunges Again
Tumblr 101: Tips And Tricks To Get Started
Microsoft Security Essentials 2 beta now available for download
Many of our readers have made the switch to Microsoft Security Essentials for malware and virus defense. It's free, and it offers protection that is every bit as good as (if no better than) commercial apps like Norton and McAfee. Anxious to know what's coming in version 2? Wait no more, the beta download is out now!
So what's new? MSE's defenses have been beefed up with a new scanning engine, better defense against network-based threats, Internet Explorer integration for blocking web-based threats, and improved integration with the Windows firewall. In short, the best, free antivirus app for Windows has gotten even better.
So what's new? MSE's defenses have been beefed up with a new scanning engine, better defense against network-based threats, Internet Explorer integration for blocking web-based threats, and improved integration with the Windows firewall. In short, the best, free antivirus app for Windows has gotten even better.
As with the original beta download of MSE 1, Microsoft says this is a "limited opportunity." In truth, you'll probably see this spring up on torrent trackers and mirror sites like Softpedia within hours, so don't fret -- if you really want to try it out, you'll be able to get your hands on the download... Even if Microsoft's own servers can't handle the demand (I had serious problems getting their server to push all 8MB or so).
Visit the Connect site to download MSE 2 beta -- you'll need a Live ID to sign in.
Visit the Connect site to download MSE 2 beta -- you'll need a Live ID to sign in.
Comments
16
Subscribe to comments216Jul 20th 2010 1:36PM
I like how they're finally adding in Web Defense. That's really the only fault/missing feature in MSE. However, in typical MS fashion, they mess it up by making it IE only.'
Still, I'd recommend MSE over anything else out there
xxdesmusxxJul 20th 2010 1:40PM
Honestly I'm quite glad it's "IE only" as I don't want that crap cluttering the browser(s) I actually use -- like Chrome and Firefox.
216Jul 20th 2010 3:19PM
@xxdesmusxx: Actually you make a good point. And seeing as how the average person ends up using IE anyway its best that it secures IE first
xxdesmusxxJul 20th 2010 1:38PM
1. use IE to download
2. use the MS Connect download manager tool (this is why you need IE)
3. download the file ...problem solved.
I tried a bunch of different steps before I was able to get the download to fully complete, but the above steps should work.
Great app, rock solid so far. MSE just keeps getting better.
kojo87Jul 20th 2010 1:41PM
download slows to a crawl at 8/9.8 MB. only getting 23KB/s right now. i usually get around 1.2MB/s off Microsoft servers.
APVJul 20th 2010 2:00PM
Well my download stops completely at 82%... Multiple times... It just stays there. It even says it has a 600kbps download speed and should be done in 5 seconds... But after 5 minutes I still get no budge.
Oh well.
Bob JanzenJul 20th 2010 2:47PM
64bit mirror
http://www.mediafire.com/file/f4ek90imkcgsezg/mseinstall_en_us_amd64.exe
ShatimiJul 20th 2010 3:12PM
improved integration with the Windows firewall - could you tell me more about this?
olukaJul 20th 2010 3:46PM
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=EX11AI87
olukaJul 20th 2010 3:56PM
32 bit version http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9JVJZOLC
IriaJul 20th 2010 4:04PM
As good as McAfee or Symantec? Maybe, but def. not as good as NOD32. Every time MSE would update itself, it would slow my system to a crawl. Additionally, it only updates once a day, as do most freeware AVs, rather than the multiple times a day done by other paid-for AVs.
MxxConJul 20th 2010 5:05PM
actually it's on par if not even better than NOD32. look at the benchmarks at http://www.av-comparatives.org
and it does update multiple times a day
traptrollJul 27th 2010 8:57PM
Nod 32??? You must have pulled that off the shelf labeled OVERRATED right next to Norton, McAfee and AVG.
pristy.siteJul 20th 2010 4:42PM
Show some balls M$ that's my answer, it's about time.
KualaBeeJul 20th 2010 11:49PM
What is MSE 2's update frequency? How is the scan speed compared to other antivirus? Thinking of switching to MSE 2 from Avira, but I read that it MSE scans slower, and it doesn't update frequently enough.
NonprofitTechJul 21st 2010 12:26PM
Really wish I could install this on my business PC's.