Microsoft provides a variety of security options to protect users of its Windows-based operating systems and software products from malware, viruses, hacking attempts, phishing attacks, spam and more. The most popular among Microsoft’s standalone software security options are Windows Defender, Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft Safety Scanner and Forefront Endpoint Security.
For many years, Microsoft’s philosophy for ensuring the security of its software products had a heavy emphasis on standalone security products like the ones listed above. In recent years, however, Microsoft has discontinued some of these security offerings in favor of better built-in security protection for its products like Exchange Server, Internet Explorer and the latest Windows operating systems (via the built-in Windows Defender).
Combining Microsoft Security Software with a Safety & Security Center
The company complements its Microsoft security software offerings with a Safety & Security Center Web site that provides security software downloads, educational resources for protecting against security risks, and free tools for online scanning and removal of viruses. The Safety and Security center site also provides a link to download Microsoft Safety Scanner, a free downloadable Microsoft security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware and other malicious software.
The Safety & Security Center additionally provides links to the latest service packs, drivers, security patches and other updates for Microsoft software to help users ensure they’re running the latest and presumably most secure versions of Microsoft software.
Related terms: Microsoft Safety Scanner, Microsoft Security Essentials, Windows Defender, Microsoft Endpoint
