I have been using ZoneAlarm Internet Security for a while but found it too complicated and it takes too much resources. In beginning of November Lifehacker wrote about Five Best Antivirus Applications, one of them is Microsoft Security Essentials.

A few days later Lifehacker wrote Stop Paying For Windows Security; Microsoft’s Security Tools Are Good Enough. The part that hooked me was this:

The release of Microsoft Security Essentials has changed the landscape of antivirus software. We’ve finally got a completely free application that protects against viruses, spyware and other malware — without killing system performance like some of the “suites” tend to do. In my personal experience, it barely slows down the machine and rarely affects my work.

A few days ago I uninstalled ZoneAlarm and installed Microsoft Security Essentials instead. You find it at Microsoft, Microsoft Security Essentials, with information and for dowload. Microsoft lists these reasons why you should download Microsoft Security Essentials:

Comprehensive protection. Microsoft Security Essentials helps defend your computer against spyware, viruses, worms, Trojans, and other malicious software.

Easy to get, easy to use. Because Microsoft Security Essentials is available at no cost, there’s no registration process that requires billing or personal information collection. It installs after a quick download and Genuine Windows validation and then stays automatically up-to-date with the latest protection technology and signature updates.

Quiet Protection. Microsoft Security Essentials doesn’t get in your way. It runs quietly in the background and schedules a scan when your computer is most likely idle. You only see alerts when you need to take action.