Microsoft to offer free security

The new software will protect machines running XP, Vista, and Windows 7
In a surprise move, Microsoft has announced it will offer a free anti-virus and security solution from the second half of next year.

It will stop selling OneCare, its all-in-one security and PC management service, from the end of June 2009.

The new software, code-named Morro, will be a no-frills program suited to smaller and less powerful computers.

The software will be free to download and will support Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.

The move comes as sales of the OneCare subscription service are flagging - reportedly because the anti-virus marketplace is already flooded with big-name players such as Symantec and McAfee.

Since its launch in May 2006, OneCare has garnered less than 2% of the security software market share.

In a statement, Microsoft said that Morro would be designed specifically to be a small-footprint program that uses fewer system resources. This, it said, would be ideal for users with low-bandwidth connections or computers without much processing power.

That will be of particular interest to consumers buying comparatively low-powered "netbook" computers.

Amy Barzdukas, senior director of product management in the online services division at Microsoft, said: "This new, no-cost offering will give us the ability to protect an even greater number of consumers, especially in markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only by the growth of malware."


BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft to offer free security

Ex_Brit said:

Sounds good, if they don't get their pants sued off for doing that. The question remains however, how good is their protection anyway? Apart from Windows Defender, I've never used MS protection.

I don't really know either. I haven't tested Live One Care. The truth is, I don't really need antivirus software anymore. I haven't been using antivirus software and I haven't gotten a single virus in the past two years that I've been using Windows Vista.

If Microsoft's new security software is lightweight enough, I may just leave it enabled just for the "feel good" aspect of knowing that I do have antivirus software, much in the same way that I leave Windows Defender enabled, becuase I really can't say I've seen real performance benefits to disabling it.

x3haloed said:

I don't really know either. I haven't tested Live One Care. The truth is, I don't really need antivirus software anymore. I haven't been using antivirus software and I haven't gotten a single virus in the past two years that I've been using Windows Vista.

If Microsoft's new security software is lightweight enough, I may just leave it enabled just for the "feel good" aspect of knowing that I do have antivirus software, much in the same way that I leave Windows Defender enabled, becuase I really can't say I've seen real performance benefits to disabling it.

A fully patched Vista (Win7) machine with UAC running, firewall turned on, and the user not set as admin is good protection and would not require you to run Anti-Virus. Other then that, you might already have viruses and spyware and not even know it. I oversee the security of over 5000 Win clients and since we started patching, keeping software, and running client firewalls, infections have gone down a lot.

Run AVG. Its good, lite weight, and catches most issues.

I loved WLOC and hated to see it end, but I can see where it was more than most people wanted. I mean you get a decent firewall in Vista and Win7, the backup program is already there in Win& and is easier to use. Spyware support comes free with Defender and free antivirus programs like Avast! provide the antivirus, trojan, and additional spyware protection.

So Morro may be all that a lot of people need.