Microsoft to offer free anti-malware
Microsoft has been offering the free anti-spyware program, Windows Defender, for some time. It comes with Vista and can be downloaded to XP. However, the only anti-virus program from Microsoft has been from the subscription service called Windows Live OneCare. Now Microsoft has announced that it will be providing free general purpose anti-malware. Here is an excerpt from a Microsoft press release:
As part of its commitment to provide users with a trustworthy computing experience, Microsoft has announced plans to offer a new, core security solution for consumers. Available at no additional cost,this new solution will focus on delivering easy-to-use protection from threats that can place personal information at risk and harm system performance.
This new anti-malware offering, scheduled to be released in the second half of 2009, will provide protection from a variety of threats – including viruses, spyware, rootkits and Trojans – and is specifically designed to address the demands of smaller PC form factors and the rapid increases in the incidence of global malware. This solution will be suitable for customers in emerging markets where infection rates tend to be higher,1 and where demand for entry-level PCs makes it even more important that protection be available that does not sacrifice system performance.
The press announcement also says that the pay-subscription service Live OneCare will be phased out.
Ed Bott comments:
Free antimalware protection? That sound you just heard was a shiver going down the collective spine of executives at McAfee, Symantec, and other antivirus companies.
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