Microsoft introducing free antivirus / scrapping OneCare

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."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7737520.stm

Would you trust free security software from MS? I'm not surprised OneCare didn't take off. Anyone here use it?

I'd use it. Or give it a go at least. I only use free antivirus software.

I've used the free live scanner a few times it fairly decent. The virus stuff is pretty rubbish though, I think in tests it came second from bottom.

Actually it's third just ahead of McAffee.

I'm currently using it on my laptop - I've had no problems thus far. In fact, I've found it far simpler to use than the other big two. Plus it doesn't hog system resources.

AntiVirus is the biggest con in the world. I've been running several Windows machines without any "protection" for years and I have no problems.

I'm quite happy with avast! at the moment and so I probably wouldn't change.

I didn't even know MS did a virus scanner in all honesty.

FishFingers wrote:AntiVirus is the biggest con in the world. I've been running several Windows machines without any "protection" for years and I have no problems.

I have fire alarms in my house but have never had a fire.

Actually I don't, isn't that illegal in rented housing?

sw26 wrote:I'm quite happy with avast! at the moment and so I probably wouldn't change.

I didn't even know MS did a virus scanner in all honesty.

There's a free trial on their website:

http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

KKLEIN wrote:
sw26 wrote:I'm quite happy with avast! at the moment and so I probably wouldn't change.

I didn't even know MS did a virus scanner in all honesty.

There's a free trial on their website:

http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

Avast is suppose to be the best at finding problems.

FishFingers wrote:AntiVirus is the biggest con in the world. I've been running several Windows machines without any "protection" for years and I have no problems.

Absolutely spot on!

If you are not an idiot you won't have any problems.

Stig wrote:
FishFingers wrote:AntiVirus is the biggest con in the world. I've been running several Windows machines without any "protection" for years and I have no problems.

Absolutely spot on!

If you are not an idiot you won't have any problems.

sound advice. 8-)

Microsoft introducing free antivirus / scrapping OneCare

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