Free Microsoft Antivirus Software Heading to Beta Soon
Pretty much every PC owner knows and relishes that 1-3 month period after they've laid down their cash and first fired up their new computer during which they can surf the Web with more or less impunity. The reason? Something for free, that near standard introductory antivirus offer, care of McAfee, Symantec, et. al. But over the long run, there just isn't any free lunch. Or is there?
Last November Microsoft announced that it would be dropping its less than well-received OneCare antivirus subscription service, with an eye towards replacing the for purchase software with the free Morro antivirus product. Yup, free stuff. And although the service won't launch until late 2009, and there is no telling at this point how comprehensive the software will be, there would also not seem to be an expiration date attached to this freebie. I know that an antivirus subscription is only $30-40, but nothing sells like something that doesn't cost. Although I'm sure that the Internet security segment of the software industry is less than happy about this development, they knew it was coming and there is one bright spot from their perspective. Because of Microsoft's well-know entanglements in anti-trust litigation, they will not be bundling Morro with PCs. Consumers will have to download it. That's a pretty small victory, but a victory nonetheless I suppose. Regardless, look for Microsoft servers to be very busy come beta time.
Microsoft is scheduled to stop selling OneCare on June 30 and all paid subscriptions will be honored. Morro will be compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems and is designed to work hand in hand with the ongoing security improvements to Windows and IE. No definite date has been given for the start of the beta, but I'm sure that there will be enough hype for us all to know when it is available. Read more about Morro at the Microsoft press site.
--Tom Milnes
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Antivirus on March 19, 2010 at 07:30 AM
From OneCare to MSE, and still very little enthusiasm from the public in general. While I will be sticking with my current antivirus for the foreseeable future, I am open to considering MS once they evolve their product a bit. You would think that with the OS authors under the same roof, they would be able to beat out all their competitors right out of the gate, but this has been proven to not be the case.