Free Microsoft Security Essentials Antivirus Software Launches Today

After all, OneCare Live wasn't exactly a top performer among antivirus products. In tests run by independent security testing firms, OneCare, particularly at first, was a poor performer. Still, you can bet many will latch onto the Microsoft Security Essentials download.

The Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) download (MSE) will be available in the morning hours, reports say, but no specific time has been confirmed. It will be a 4.7MB download.

Should companies like Symantec or McAfee be worried about Microsoft Security Essentials (or Morro)? Those two giants of security probably are not, as they control most of the security software market. But how about smaller firms, like ESET (NOD32) or Kaspersky?

While no one was particularly impressed with Microsoft's first antivirus product, the key word with MSE is free. Free tends to make people notice, and although there are actually plenty of free AV programs out there, free by Microsoft makes people take notice still further.

Still, Microsoft has a tendency to blow it with the first version of any product. I wouldn't recommend you take the time to for the Microsoft Security Essentials download unless you want to test it, for some reason.

And realistically, from past history, many will attempt the Microsoft Security Essentials download. Which, also from past history, will probably crash Microsoft's servers. Don't be surprised if the download site is slow and unresponsive for at least part of the day.