Microsoft's Security Essentials team announced a Beta for the next version of the company's malware protection software. Participants will be able to try out the latest software builts and help to improve Security Essentials. If you are interested in this Bet aprogram, sign up today and Microsoft will notify you once the Beta is available for download. Microsoft hopes that the Microsoft Security Essentials beta to be available to the general public by the end of the year.

New features in the Beta of Microsoft Security Essentials include:

- Enhanced protection through automatic malware remediation - The Beta will clean high-impact malware infections automatically, with no required user interaction.
- Enhanced performance - The Beta includes many performance improvements to make sure your PC performance isn't negatively impacted.
- Simplified UI - Simplified UI makes Microsoft Security Essentials Beta easier to use.
- New and improved protection engine - The updated engine offers enhanced detection and cleanup capabilities.