Way to go Redmond, WA. Microsoft released their free security package today, including an Anti-Virus application.

Microsoft has just released a "free" anti-virus and security suite to the general public. I have not heard of any reports back from the lucky ones that were able to run the Beta version, so here is a link to Microsoft's new av software. I'm downloading it now, and will update with a small review.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

• First hitch the "privacy statement"  Make sure you read before you agree
• Validate your copy of Windows? no problem there but there is a second privacy statement for that

• Recommended you remove your existing AV. Fairly typical for AV software

Installation took about 30 seconds. Of course that is minus the time spent reading the agreements.

Another minute of updating and this thing is off and running.

I'm removing AVG now, and will check out the new system resources used by the MS product.