Microsoft Security Essentials: Free, so what's the catch?
Personally, I didn't like Microsoft's Live OneCare security software; every time I worked with it on someone's computer, there was a problem of some sort. Windows Defender, however, as an antispyware tool has gained my trust over the years. But when it came to antivirus protection, I either went with no protection (which isn't a big deal because Windows 7 is so locked down that I don't see anything bypassing my superfast UAC prompt skills), AVG free antivirus protection, or -- for those times when I thought that maybe, possibly, I picked something up -- the online Trend Micro House Call scan. So far the tests have come back clean.
But by living on the edge, it will only be a matter of time before I pick something up -- which is why I was interested in Microsoft's recent release of the second version of OneCare's successor, Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). MSE provides real-time protection for home PCs, although Microsoft is promising that enterprise support for small business is on the way. (For larger organizations, Microsoft recommends the use of its Forefront products.)
