Get answers to your questions about Forefront Client Security.
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Q. What is Microsoft Forefront?
A.
The Microsoft Forefront comprehensive family of business security products provides greater protection and control over the security of your network infrastructure. Microsoft Forefront security products easily integrate with each other and with your organization’s IT infrastructure; they can be supplemented through interoperable third-party solutions, enabling end-to-end, defense-in-depth security solutions. Microsoft Forefront includes:
Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA) 2006.
Intelligent Application Gateway (IAG).
Forefront Security for Exchange Server.
Forefront Security for SharePoint.
Forefront Security for Office Communications Server.
Forefront Client Security.
Simplified management, analysis, and deployment enable you to efficiently protect your organization’s information resources, and help secure access to applications and servers. With highly responsive protection supported by Microsoft technical guidance, Microsoft Forefront helps you confidently meet ever-changing threats and increased business demands. For more information, please visit the Microsoft Forefront Web site.
Q. What is Microsoft Forefront Client Security?
A.
Microsoft Forefront Client Security provides unified malware protection for business desktops, laptops, and server operating systems that is easier to manage and control. Built on the same highly successful Microsoft protection technology already used by millions of people worldwide, Forefront Client Security helps guard against emerging threats, such as spyware and rootkits, as well as traditional threats, such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Forefront Client Security integrates with your existing infrastructure software, such as Active Directory, and complements other Microsoft security technologies for enhanced protection and greater control.
Q. What value does Microsoft Forefront Client Security deliver to customers?
A.
Forefront Client Security not only delivers unified protection from viruses, spyware, and other malware threats, it also adds significant value to customers by delivering simplified administration and critical visibility into threats, while easily integrating into the existing environment.
Unified Protection
Integrated antivirus/antispyware engine scanning in real-time vs. user mode. Windows Filter Manager allows FCS mini-filter to scan data as it is accessed from file system. Microsoft Malware Protection Engine includes advanced malware protection capabilities, such as Heuristics, tunneling signatures for user-mode root kits, static analysis, and code emulation.
The Malware Protection Engine is backed by Microsoft 24/7 global malware research and response.
Simplified Administration
Single policy configures the antispyware, antivirus, and state assessment technologies, as well as alert level settings.
Forefront Client Security integrates into customers' existing infrastructure. It is optimized for Active Directory for configuring security agents and WSUS for automated distribution of signatures and security agents.
Reporting and Visibility
Forefront Client Security utilizes SQL with embedded MOM in FCS, providing true in-depth reporting.
Forefront Client Security provides summary reports on key issues with the ability to drill down to as much detail as needed (for example, computer, individual threat).
Forefront Client Security provides the visibility into the managed computers that need patches or are configured insecurely. It reports on both threats and vulnerabilities impacting environments.
Q. Who should use Microsoft Forefront Client Security?
A.
Microsoft Forefront Client Security is designed for any mid- to large–size organization that needs a single solution for protection, detection, and removal of spyware, rootkits, and other emerging threats, as well as traditional attacks, such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.
Q. Which versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems are protected by Microsoft Forefront Client Security?
A.
Microsoft Forefront Client Security is designed to protect Windows 2000 SP4 or later, Windows XP SP2 or later, Windows Server 2003 SP1 or later, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Vista SP1 Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions (x86 and x64).
Q. What feature enhancements are included in Forefront Client Security Service Pack 1?
A.
Forefront Client Security Service Pack 1 includes:
Q. Why should customers upgrade to Forefront Client Security Service Pack 1?
A.
Customers should upgrade to Forefront Client Security Service Pack 1 if they are moving to Windows Server 2008 or want to use FCS in a virtualized environment. All customers are encouraged to upgrade to the SP1 release to install a roll-up of the latest software fixes.
Q. Are customers required to upgrade to Service Pack 1?
A.
No. Customers are encouraged to use the SP1 product to take advantage of the roll-up of the latest software fixes, but are not required to upgrade.
Q. How do customers access Forefront Client Security Service Pack 1?
Q. How do customers upgrade to Forefront Client Security Service Pack 1?
A.
To get the SP1 upgrade, first download and install the Forefront Client Security trial software. After successfully installing Forefront Client Security, you will be prompted to install the SP1 upgrade via Microsoft Update. Customers that already have Forefront Client Security installed will automatically be prompted to install SP1 via Microsoft Update.
Q. What is the Forefront Client Security pricing and licensing?
A.
Forefront Client Security is available under subscription licensing: per user or device subscription (for the client), plus per server subscription (for the management console). The list pricing for Forefront Client Security starts at $12.72 per user or device, per year, for the security agent and $2,468 per year for the management console. Additional discounts are available through Microsoft Volume Licensing.
More information about licensing and pricing for Forefront Client Security is available on the How To Buy page.
Q. Do customers need a separate third-party antivirus solution if they are using Microsoft Forefront Client Security?
A.
No. Microsoft Forefront Client Security delivers continuous, scheduled, and scan-on-demand antivirus and antispyware protection. More information about the Microsoft Malware Protection Engine and Response is available at the Microsoft Security Portal.
Q. How do customers receive malware definitions and other updates?
A.
Malware definition updates are distributed from Microsoft Update and the Microsoft Security Portal. Microsoft Forefront Client Security simplifies the distribution of definition updates to client computers through optimization with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). WSUS enables administrators to auto-approve the latest signatures, or test and approve every update. Customers can also use Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) or any existing software distribution system in their environment.
Q. What support is Microsoft providing for customers who purchase Forefront Client Security?
A.
Microsoft is dedicated to supporting Forefront Client Security customers for the malware and the software issues that they encounter:
Malware submission. Unlimited malware support at no additional cost is provided to Forefront Client Security customers via e-mail, through the anti-malware portal, and by phone with the Microsoft Support organization.
Product bugs. Unlimited support for software bugs is provided online or on the phone with the Microsoft Support organization, at no additional cost.
General technical support. Assistance for other incidents (for example, installation or configuration) is provided:
*At no additional cost online at Microsoft Help and Support.
*On a pay-per-incident basis on the phone with the Microsoft Support organization.
More information is available on the Forefront Client Security Support Options page.
Q. Does Microsoft provide any resources to learn more about current malware trends?
A.
Microsoft releases its Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (SIR), an in-depth perspective of trends in the malicious and potentially unwanted software landscape, on a biannual basis. Each individual report focuses on data and trends observed in either the first or second half of each calendar year, and uses historical data to provide context. The purpose of the SIR is to keep Microsoft customers informed of the major trends in the threat landscape and to provide valuable insight and security guidance designed to help customers improve their security posture in the face of these threats.
More information on the SIR is available on the Security Portal page.
Q. What is the difference between Microsoft Forefront Client Security and Windows Live OneCare?
A.
Microsoft Forefront Client Security is the unified malware protection solution for business desktop computers, portable computers, and server operating systems that is easier to manage and control. Microsoft Windows Live OneCare is an all-in-one, automatic, and self-updating computer care service designed to help consumers easily protect and maintain their computers. To learn more, go to the Windows Live OneCare Web site.
Q. How does Microsoft Forefront Client Security compare to other Microsoft security offerings, such as Windows Defender, Windows Live OneCare, Antigen, and Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services?
A.
Microsoft Forefront Client Security provides unified malware protection for business desktop computers, portable computers, and server operating systems that is easier to manage and control. Forefront Client Security delivers defense-in-depth when combined with other Microsoft business security solutions, such as:
Forefront Server Security (previously Antigen Products): Application server-level antivirus, anti-spam, and content-filtering products that help businesses protect their e-mail and collaboration environments against viruses, worms, spam, and inappropriate content.
ISA Server: The integrated edge security gateway that helps protect your IT environment from Internet-based threats, while providing your users with fast and secure remote access to applications and data.
Intelligent Application Gateway (Whale Communications): SSL-based application access (SSL VPN), a Web application firewall and endpoint security management that enables access control, authorization, and content inspection for a wide variety of line-of-business and intranet applications, client-server resources, and full network connectivity.
Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services (formerly FrontBridge Technologies): Four distinct services that help organizations protect themselves from e-mail–borne malware, satisfy retention requirements for compliance, encrypt data to preserve confidentiality, and preserve access to e-mail during and after emergency situations.
Microsoft also has security offerings intended for consumers and other individual users, including:
Windows Defender: A free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software.
Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner: A free Web service that individuals can use to help ensure the health of their computer. In addition to checking for and removing viruses, Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner includes tools for improving computer performance. Go to Windows Live OneCare to learn more.
Windows Live OneCare: An all-in-one, automatic, and self-updating computer care service designed to help consumers more easily protect and maintain their computers. Windows Live OneCare is available for an annual subscription rate of $49.95 MSRP for up to three personal computers, and it is available for purchase through major retailers and at the Windows Live OneCare Web site.
Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT): A tool that complements traditional antivirus technologies by helping to identify and remove the most prevalent viruses and worms from customer computers. It is available at no charge to licensed Windows users. Microsoft releases an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month.
