Microsoft to Stop Providing Malware Updates for Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft to Stop Providing Malware Updates for Microsoft Security Essentials

According to Microsoft, it will no longer provide new malware signatures for Microsoft Security Essentials after January 14, 2020 – the end-of-support date for Windows 7. This means that Microsoft Security Essentials will become outdated and even more ineffective than it already is.

According to Computerworld:

“Microsoft will not provide new malware signatures for its home-grown Security Essentials software after it retires Windows 7 in five weeks.

 

‘No, your Windows 7 computer is not protected by MSE ((Microsoft Security Essentials)) after January 14, 2020,’ the company said in a support document mainly concerned about the Extended Security Updates (ESU) being shilled to enterprises. ‘MSE is unique to Windows 7 and follows the same lifecycle dates for support.’

 

Security Essentials, a free antivirus (AV) program that launched in 2008, was originally limited to consumers. However, in 2010, Microsoft expanded the licensing to small businesses, defined as those with 10 or fewer PCs. Two years after that, MSE was replaced by Windows Defender with the launch of Windows 8…”

 

Visit Computerworld to read more.

If you’re still using Windows 7, we urge you to upgrade to Windows 10 before January 14, 2020. And you’re still using Microsoft Security Essentials you need to find something else soon. We recommend Emsisoft. However, the important thing is that you replace MSE soon. Windows 10 ships with Windows Defender which provides adequate, if not robust, antivirus protection.