Last month, Microsoft released Microsoft Security Essentials, marking their entry into the computer security market. It’s free to use, which is surprising on its own. What’s more surprising, however, is how well MSE scores against similar security products – including those that aren’t free.

According to this article on Ars Technica, it ranks right up there with Symantec and Kaspersky and it’s better than ESET, McAfee, AVG, and Avast. I’m using MSE currently on my Windows 7 install and I put it on my roommate’s Windows XP based Dell. Both installs were simple and quick and I have read that scan times are comparable to other security products as well.

So, if you’re looking for a different way to protect your system, especially one you do not have to pay for, give Microsoft Security Essentials a try.