Most of you who visit my blog on a regular basis will be familiar with Microsoft Security Essentials, its Microsoft’s free AV & Malware scanner and its not half bad.

Well now there is another version… Security Essentials 2010. Its not so much about cleaning up your system, its more about the screwing up your computer and charging you for the privilege. Its the usual scamware type software we have seen before on the AV front, but this one seems to be rather successful with such a similar name to Microsoft’s offering.

Below are some screen shots of the scamware, and the real Security Essentials offering to help you tell the difference. Remember, if its asking you to pay, then step away.

The real Microsoft Security Essentials:

Fake Security Essentials 2010:

If you have been unlucky enough to install this scamware, then you may notice you are unable to visit any of the common legitimate AV software vendors to help clear up your system, as well as other popular sites that you may visit. I would recommend you use another computer to download a free AV solution like Microsoft Security Essentials or Avast and then install on your computer to clean it up.

So for now, remember if its to good to be true, it usually is.