Relax, it does not sound like Microsoft will charge for Security Essentials
any time soon. They want to eleviate some of the reputation Windows has
developed regarding security.
Don Marang
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From: "JOHN JUSTICE" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2010 6:44 PM
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: [Blind-Computing] ANTI-VIRUS PROGRAMS, A RECOMMENDATION
I believe someone may have already mentioned this particular program but
just in case, I have been road testing Microsoft Security Essentials and I
find it quite navigable as well as quite effective in blocking undesirable
programs. There are some on this list who will automatically discount any
program if it was produced by Microsoft. Although opinions are like
mothers: Everyone had one at one time or another, I believe it to be
counterproductive to ignore or discount anything produced by the world's
largest software manufacturer just because it was made by them. That's
like saying all cookies made by Nabisco are terrible because you don't
like their Oreos. I'll agree that Microsoft has come up with some
seriously bad ideas in their day but in every case that I'm aware of, they
have worked hard to resolve their mistakes and are still doing so. I have
no reason for recommending Microsoft's Security Essentials other than the
fact that it was based on Windows Live One Care, a truly excellent suite
of protection tools. Unlike many other anti-virus programs, there is no
part of Security Essentials that isn't accessible to screen readers. It's
straight forward and does exactly what it says it will do without hogging
RAM or making a general nuisance of itself. The program is quite capable
of customization and doesn't use up an unusual amount of static memory.
Now, you may need a little help in getting it downloaded for the first
time since the web site has an image based link which Jaws cannot read. I
haven't tried it with any alternative screen reader yet. Some of the Open
Code ones might have better luck at finding that link. But once you have
the program, installing it is quite easy. Like most good anti-virus
programs, the first thing it does is scan your computer and update itself
with the most current definitions. It's relatively new as far as
protection suites go, but it is using definitions which have been
developed by Live One Care and Defender. Those programs have been in
existence for much longer. At this time, Microsoft is offering Security
Essentials free of charge. I'm sure that it won't stay that way for long,
though.
So, from the standpoint of ease of operation, variety of features and
ability to navigate, I can recommend Microsoft Security Essentials as a
good choice for visually impaired computer users.
John Justice
PERSONAL E-MAIL: [email protected]
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