First Look: Microsoft Security Essentials 4.0
Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 April 2012 08:48 Written by Alan Thursday, 26 April 2012 07:00
Microsoft has been beta testing version 4.0 of their security software, Security Essentials, for several months and now they have finally released the final version to the general public. Security Essentials is Microsoft’s free answer to large, expensive, bloated security suites like Norton and McAfee. Many experts think that Microsoft should include the software in Windows to protect unsuspecting users, but that would likely results in an Internet Explorer-type legal storm from the competitors.
Yesterday Microsoft sent an email out to all beta testers alerting them that the beta version of the software will soon lose support and users will automatically be ungraded to version 4.0 final release. If you aren’t currently a Security Essentials customer you can visit this site to download it.
Dear Beta User,
Thank you for joining the Microsoft® Security Essentials Beta. We hope you have enjoyed using the Security Essentials Beta and found it easy to install and use.
The final release of the latest version of Microsoft Security Essentials has recently been released and the beta program will end on April 26th2012.
During the next days, participants who installed the Security Essentials Beta and are subscribed to automatic updates will be upgraded to the final release of the latest version of Microsoft Security Essentials after they agree to a new license agreement. If you would like to upgrade manually, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/
Please note that in order to continue receiving technical support, you will need to upgrade or install the final version of Microsoft Security Essentials.
Thanks again for participating in the Microsoft Security Essentials Beta.
Best regards,
The Microsoft Security Essentials Team
You can check out a few screenshots of the new version below.
About screen
Home screen
Update screen
Settings screen
How To: Set Up Windows 8 Picture Password
Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 March 2012 08:54 Written by Alan Thursday, 22 March 2012 07:00
With the roll out of Windows 8 and it’s touch-friendly interface, Microsoft has introduced a new way to unlock your device – the picture password. The new picture password allows users to simply draw a pattern or tap the image in specific locations to unlock the screen. This obviously is made for touchscreen devices, but Windows 8 is expected to be on many tablets by the end of 2012.
To get started you will need to access the Windows 8 Charms Menu and click the “Settings” option.
Once you’ve selected settings you’ll want to click on “More PC Settings”. Now click “Users” and and you should see an option to create a new picture password on the right hand side.
Now enter you current password and click past the “Welcome” screen, then browse to find the picture you want to use. You can choose one from your computer, or one that is stored on Facebook, Flickr, or SkyDrive.
Once you’ve selected your picture you can begin to draw your pattern. You will be asked to draw it 3 times so the system learns it accurately. You can draw pretty much any pattern you want as long as it includes 3 gestures. It does make a difference which direction you draw lines and circles, as well as the order that you do them in. You can also tap on specific locations on the picture if you so wish. After the third time Windows 8 will save the pattern as your new password.
This feature is geared towards touchscreens, but you can use it with a mouse as well. Windows doesn’t require the drawing to be exact, since exact replication could prove difficult. No doubt the feature will be improved with time as well.
Microsoft Strikes Out at Google, Apple Over Privacy
Last Updated on Friday, 17 February 2012 09:34 Written by Alan Friday, 17 February 2012 09:34
If you haven’t heard yet, it was recently revealed that Google has been tracking users through cookies placed into Apple’s Safari web browser which runs, not only on PC’s and Mac’s, but also on all iOS devices. Microsoft is taking advantage of this unfortunate news to both strike out at Apple and Google, as well as push their own web browser, Internet Explorer.
In an overnight blog post, Microsoft’s Ryan Gavin, General Manager of Internet Explorer Business and Marketing, laid out the recent news and called it “alarming”. He also pointed out other instances of Google’s misbehavior, such as the recent Privacy Policy changes. He then goes on to let everyone know that if you “want to protect your confidential information and privacy while you’re online, there are alternatives for you. Windows Internet Explorer is the browser that respects your privacy.”
This game has become a favorite tactic of Microsoft recently as they have learned to point out, and take advantage of, their rival’s missteps. We saw it recently when Microsoft offered free Windows Phone handsets to Android user’s worried about malware on their devices. Now they are using it push Internet Explorer on users worried about Safari privacy problems. Microsoft is playing tough these days.
