We are now recommending you the free Microsoft Security Essentials(MSE). This antivirus software is free for all Genuine Windows user. It is better than those free antivirus like AVG, Avira and Avast.

Installation

Installing MSE is fast. Once the software is downloaded and the installation process launched, it checks for a validated copy of Windows and downloads anti-Malware signature updates. The entire process took less than 50 seconds to complete. Once that was finished, you have the option to launch a Quick Scan of the system. This is an optional, but a highly recommended step.

Detection:

As discovered during the scan tests, detection on MSE is solid, it's good to see that the Malware placed on the system during the pre-install browsing session was picked up. After MSE discovered no other infections, those results were checked against two online scanning engines, as well as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

To add to the detection tests, a password protected Zip file with 50 samples of Malware was loaded on to the system. The samples were all from attachments in malicious email, as well as downloaded from the Internet in the form of fake codec files from video sites.

The password protected Zip was not detected as a threat after scanning it with MSE. However, once unpacked to a folder named Infected, MSE detected and removed every sample, leaving only the folders behind.

Based on the scanning of known Malware, MSE did great on this part of the test. However, as mentioned, this was a test of 50 known samples; so failure would have been inexcusable. With that said, to double check detection, we pointed the test system to a few malicious and newly active domains.

Conclusion:

Based on testing, the detection offered by MSE is great for a free product. Yet, that does not mean it is infallible. New threats, and new methods to expose users to them, appear hourly. A little caution while surfing the Web, and good maintenance routines – like applying system patches and software updates regularly – will offer you far more protection than any AV engine or product.

Not to mention, regardless of how well MSE performs, or any other security application for that matter, it should only be counted as a single layer of protection for the computer.

Still, for a free AV product, MSE impressed us, and this is just the beta. The only downside was the slow scanning. If you can live with that, and are looking for a free security application, then Microsoft Security Essentials is a great choice.

Download link is available here.

Although online image search may generate inappropriate results, the software is able to automatically select suitable photographs to generate a high quality composition, using a filtering scheme to exclude undesirable images. The built in image blending module is able to blend the photos to allow seamless photo composition

Sketch2Photo

Steven Li and Chia Lin sparked off the presentation with a high note, DreamSpark, believing that the $10,000 worth of Microsoft software can allow every student to develop their interest or potential in IT to the fullest.

DreamSpark gives access to all the fully licensed software to the students. By default, all SP students are granted access to the free software and may log in using their SP's ichat account.

To help students learn the software, the TechNet Virtual Labs and the beneficial Microsoft Student Partners programme are available to students holding a Windows Live ID. An MSP bears a commitment and passion to share their technical knowledge through online and offline interaction with the community. In addition to those expectations, monthly meetings are organised for the MSPs and MSPs have opportunites to interact with the Microsoft professionals directly.

If you're looking to apply for an internship in the Microsoft community, check it out at the Microsoft Students to Business Portal and you might even give your career a head start.

Cheers,
Ren Sen