Microsoft Security Essentials Available to Small Businesses

Almost a year ago, Microsoft (News - Alert) launched its free Security Essentials product as its own alternative to anti-virus and anti-malware software. Until now, the use of Security Essentials was restricted to home computers. But with the tool’s first birthday coming up, Microsoft just relaxed the rules and has made the product available to small businesses to install on up to 10 PCs.

According to one of the company’s blogs, the decision to offer it to the small business world was based on feedback from customers looking for ways to save money, especially in these tough times. Since yearly subscriptions for commercial anti-virus products can add up, Security Essentials offers a free alternative to businesses that need to cut costs.

Up until now, businesses that wanted to use a Microsoft solution for their anti-virus needs had to pay for the company’s Forefront product. For many businesses that want to stick with Microsoft, Forefront may be the better solution if you need to centrally manage your AV software through something like Group Policy. And of course, if you need protection for more than 10 PCs, you’re still out of the running to use Security Essentials.

But for small businesses, another Microsoft blog comparing Forefont with Security Essentials notes that the two products use the same core malware engine, and one that’s been tested by different AV organizations around the world. I know that security testing firm AV-Test.org GmbH checked out Security Essentials when it was released last year and gave it an overall good detection score.

Microsoft points out that Security Essentials taps into a definitions database of known malware, with new AV signatures being written and rolled out each day. The company also continues to update the software, recently releasing a beta of version 2.0.

Since its release, Security Essentials has garnered several good reviews. I run Security Essentials on all of my virtual PCs and a few of my physical machines and feel safe and secure with the product. If you support a small business and need a cost-effective AV solution, I think it’s certainly worth checking out Security Essentials.