Microsoft releases beta for next version of Security Essentials

Microsoft announced a beta for the next generation of Microsoft Security Essentials today.

Available immediately, the new version includes a new protection engine and inspection system. The beta version includes the following features:

• Windows Firewall integration – During setup, Microsoft Security Essentials will now ask if you would like to turn the Windows Firewall on or off.
• Enhanced protection for web-based threats – Microsoft Security Essentials now integrates with Internet Explorer to provide protection against web-based threats.
• New protection engine – The updated anti-malware engine offers enhanced detection and cleanup capabilities with better performance.
• Network inspection system – Protection against network-based exploits is now built in to Microsoft Security Essentials.

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is designed to work on Windows XP, Vista and 7 and protects end users against virus threats and spy ware. MSE is Microsoft's free anti-virus and anti-spyware product that replaced Microsoft's paid Windows Live OneCare subscription service which was withdrawn last year. Neowin exclusively revealed Security Essentials in June, 2009 when it was codenamed "Morro".

The beta is available now at Microsoft's Connect download site.