Microsoft has released Beta version of its FREE Antivirus and antispyware program “Microsoft Security Essentials” (MSE) 2.0. Along with integration with Windows firewall (asking to turn on/off Windows Firewall during setup), Microsoft Security Essentials boasts of enhanced protection against web-based threats, a new anti-malware engine, better performance, and added protection against network-based exploits. It have New protection engine – updated anti-malware engine offers enhanced detection and cleanup capabilities with better performance » Network inspection system – Protection against network-based exploits is now built in to MSE. Now moving on to the main point of this Microsoft Security Essentials review, let us discuss its security features and performance. MSE is on par with the best in the business when it comes to detecting malware. In real time scanning mode, it detects most malware programs before they can get activated on your system. The antivirus and anti spyware engines along with the rootkit protection are some of the other useful tools. What is lacking is email scanners, web protection and a firewall. However, considering that this is a free software, the features offered are truly reasonable. software qa