Microsoft has rolled out it’s new computer protection program.  Microsoft Security Essentials, a no-cost, anti-malware service that is designed to help protect consumers against viruses, spyware and other malicious software. Microsoft Security Essentials requires no registration, trials or renewals and is available for download directly from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/Security_essentials/.

Microsoft Security Essentials is designed to run quietly in the background alerting users only when there is an action for them to take. It also limits CPU and memory usage, resulting in less impact on the tasks consumers perform every day such as opening documents or browser windows or loading search results, even on older or less powerful PCs. Microsoft Security Essentials uses real-time protection to help prevent PCs from becoming infected, and it is the first Microsoft security product to make use of the company’s new Dynamic Signature Service, a technology that helps ensure users stay protected by the most current virus definitions available without having to wait for the next scheduled download.

“Microsoft is focused on the challenges that prevent consumers from running up-to-date anti-virus software today, particularly in emerging markets where there is a growing prevalence of malware,” said Jon Crotty, security analyst at IDC. “With Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft is helping to reduce some of the barriers that constrain consumers from running AV.”

Microsoft Security Essentials is available for Windows XP SP2 or SP3, Windows Vista and Windows 7 including Windows XP mode on both x86 and x64 PCs.

Microsoft Security Essentials is available in eight languages and 19 countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. More information about Microsoft Security Essentials and the product download is available at http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials.

I’ll be loading Microsoft Security Essentials onto one of my computers and will reort back with any problems I see.