After three months of beta testing, the final version of Microsoft’s free antivirus tool Security Essentials has been released.

The first beta version of Microsoft Security Essentials was limited to 75,000 downloads within several targeted countries.

Microsoft has opened public access to its brand new security product Microsoft Security Essentials Beta. It protects home users from viruses and spyware. Free of charge.

I am going to attend the 2009 MVP Global Summit, which will be held at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle and at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, from March 1 through 4.

Win32/Conficker.B/Downadup exploits a vulnerability in the Windows Server service (SVCHOST.EXE) for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2008. While Microsoft addressed this issue in October with Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-067, and Forefront antivirus and OneCare (as well as other vendor’s anit-virus products) helped protect against infections, many systems that have not been patched manually through Server Update Services and Microsoft/Windows Update or through Automatic Updates have recently come under attack by this worm. Attacked systems may lock out users, disable our update services and block access to security-related Web sites.

The beta version of Windows 7, Microsoft’s next-generation PC operating system, can be downloaded today by MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet customers. Consumers who want to test-drive the beta will be able to download it beginning Jan. 9.

Microsoft announces plans to release a new anti-malware solution with code name Morro.

Microsoft announced the extension of the Microsoft Security Cooperation Program (SCP) to include computer emergency response teams (CERTs), computer security incident response teams (CSIRTS), and other response and guidance organizations that represent a nation, region or population. The primary goal of the third version of Microsoft SCP, called SCPcert, is to provide customers with the best protection possible by making necessary information available for CERTs to respond to computer security incidents.

A new U.S. Patent Application 20080082465 has been published in April. The assignee is Microsoft Corporation and Bill Gates is listed as one of the inventors. This Patent Application describes an intelligent personalized agent which monitors, regulates, and advises a user in decision-making processes for efficiency or safety concerns.

My 5 cents on the eternal question — what antivirus is the best. During the last couple years I’ve tried several programs. I cannot say that one of them is definitely the best, but I want to share my impressions.