5 Things You Should Know About Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is becoming a good alternative for those who prefer to have a free security solution.

How to get the Latest MSE Definitions

If your system cannot connect to the internet, due to a virus infection, this is your only way to be updated.  If you are experiencing problems updating your antivirus you can use this method.

The following links download the utilities, different for 32 and 64 bit operating systems,  that install the latest definitions:

Definition updates for Microsoft Security Essentials on computers running x64- based versions of Windows

Definition updates for Microsoft Security Essentials on computers running x32- based versions of Windows

When installing on Windows 7 and Vista you need to run as administrator. Right click mpam-fe.exe, click Run as administrator, and then click Run.

How to Submit a Virus to Microsoft

Do you think you have a file with virus, and your antivirus, in this case Microsoft Security Essentials is not detecting it? Why not submit it to Microsoft? Use the following link do it:

Malware Protection Center – Submit A Sample

How to follow the MSE Database Updates

If you’d like to be informed about updates to the virus database, Microsoft offers RSS feeds for this:

Antimalware definition updates RSS
Antispyware definition updates RSS

Use MSE in Safe Mode

If you think that you are infected by a virus, it’s a good practice to do a scan in Safe Mode. If you get infected, the first task many viruses do is hide while running at bootup. Using Safe Mode, Windows will not load all programs, and the detection will work in a more efficient way.

System requirements

As every program, Microsoft Security Essentials has a minimum system requirements:

1. First of all your Windows has to be genuine.
2. 140 MB of available hard disk.
3. Windows Internet Explorer 6.0 or later.
4. Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later.

Windows XP

• Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3.
• At least a 500 MHz CPU and 256 MB RAM.

Windows Vista

• It works on Vista, Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2.
• 1.0 Ghz CPU and 1 GB RAM.

Windows 7

• 1.0 Ghz CPU and 1 GB RAM.

So, if you are planning to use it in earlier version of Windows you have to select other one.

There you have it, some facts about MSE you may not have previously known. Have any other tips to share about this great freeware antivirus? Let us know in the comments.