Microsoft readies free anti-virus solution
It’s no mystery that when it comes to computers and the Internet, you need protection. Maybe not the kind of protection ‘ole Harry here is packing, but the stronger the better in this day and age. Most agree that there are several good free anti-virus solutions available on the market and while they may offer decent protection against the various malware floating around, there’s no substitution for subscription services such as those offered by Symantec and McAfee. Apparently, Microsoft hopes to change that stance. Codenamed Morro, Microsoft is preparing to bring a new free anti-virus solution to market that could spell trouble for competing products in the AV industry. The company’s earlier attempt at an anti-virus solution, OneCare, was anything but a success following its launch in 2006 and subsequent benching. Since then however, Microsoft has stepped up its game where marcom is concerned and to say the company is on a roll is an understatement. Morro, poised to compete with free anti-virus and entry-level paid solutions, is expected to be released soon as a public beta with a full launch slated to follow before the year is out.
Well do ya, do ya feel lucky punk!
SURELY this should be embedded in Windows 7 not an add-on?
If it sucks, MS — sorry, M$ — will be roundly criticized for creating another abject failure in the vein of OneCare.
If it’s really good, and they integrate it into the operating system, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them get hit with an antitrust suit.
Poor Microsoft… damned if you do (it too well), damned if you don’t (do it well enough).
Sorry, unless they can PROVE they are better, faster at knocking down bugs, I’ll stick with a PAID subscription to Eset Nod32
I think this is a good move, and that it should eventually be included within Windows. Why should we have to pay for an OS, and then pay some more to have it protected against intrusions or malicious software? It’s like having to pay for a car and then pay extra to get locks on the doors.. In terms of security, any OS should come as a self-sufficient package.
I use a proven combination of AVG Free and not being a total moron and I have never had a problem.
if microsoft does an antivirus that protect its .dll files against malicious modification and in other words keep the crap out of the kernel, MS os would run much smoother and BSODs would not occur unless a piece of harware is broken.
MS usualy makes good products that the end user fucks up by installing unverified drivers and malicious downloaded programs. If they could follow the example of apple: to have better driver and forbid end user to instal anything that could be possibly harm the kernel, MS would kick ass.
I must add that there are aways excepetion. (such as the logitech mice driver for mac..) If anyone can relate to the Kernel panics yo will get what i’m trying to express.
posted for moto q
It’s very simple:
If microsoft makes an OS that is so susceptible to viruses, then how can you trust them to protect you from them?
@ Chris: THANK YOU!!! When I read that there was “no substitions”, I thought I must have clicked ‘BoyRetardReport’ instead of ‘BoyGenius’. I can’t believe I actually read ‘no substitutions’. What garbage. You should only pay a sub if:
a. You’re a major corporation with an office full of people working on PCs or
b. You’re a complete idiot who still uses MS Explorer at home and opens every email that reads, “You won $1,000,000,000!”
Firefox + Spyboy + AVG Free = No viruses in over 4 years. FOUR YEARS. And yes I filesharing and filehosting and yes I use bittorrent and AVG sufficiently protects me.
Stay off the limewire peoples and for god’s sake why are you still using Explorer!!!?
AVG Free is all I use, it’s free and keeps me clean. It will take a lot for M$ to budge me from that puppy.
I never got why we had to pay to keep our computers protected anyways.
We pay for the computer, the OS, and the internet.
Ugh…damn electronics business just out to get our poor money, lol
I thought the free AV solution was Linux?
@ crazylegs:
That is a pretty stupid statement. I don’t mean that YOU are stupid, but your comment is.
I have a alternative, its called AVG. Micro$oft cant be better than that. microsoft is like AT$T and Veri$on Wirele$$$ both money suckers.
@Paul Driscoll – Like Orga said below you, I highly doubt Microsoft will take the chance of embedding anything additional in their OS. With as many ridiculous complaints and idiots running around screaming about anti-competitiveness, it’s a wonder Windows hasn’t devolved into a login screen with a list of 60,000 options for explorer shells, browsers, web-based apps, office productivity, etc. It’s unbelievable the amount of ridiculous complaining that goes on. I could go on for a while… but you get the idea.
@Faruk – Auto insurance?? get a clue man, people hack windows because it’s everywhere. If (put alternative OS name here) was everywhere, hackers would target that as well. That’s like saying Ford should stop making cars until they figure out how to stop people from stealing them. Cars get stolen all the time… shall we also wait until a Linux alternative car comes out that has unbreakable windows and a tank-like exterior preventing anyone without a key from getting in?
I’m not exactly a Windows fanboy, but honestly the lack of intelligence from people complaining about Microsoft’s OS is a depressing state of affairs to put it mildly.
I do agree this solution should come out right around the same time as the Win7 launch. That way Apple will have to put foot in mouth in their im a pc, im a mac commercials.
This is the product formally known as Windows Live OneCare. Those who bought a subscription found about this free version a few months bacl when they sent out an email.
It definitely shouldn’t be tied into windows 7, people should have choice. Maybe it can come included and would just require an uninstall but there goes antitrust.
I have nothing against them making this product just don’t push it on users. Prove the product.
Wow .. Lot’s of M$ fanboys.
There would be no need for anti-virus if the OS was written better. Sure any OS or SW has the potential to contain bugs that can be exploited. Instead of a anti-virus program, just patch the OS as vonerabilites are discovered. Download the patch the same way new anti-virus definiations are distributed. Then the OS is safe without the need for yet another app to be running.
Also I would have a hard time [as others stated] to trust a company to protect the OS
I have an alternative – Get a Mac!
whenever i start chat on yahoo messanger someone control my system and leave me not for chating even that my whole system uncontrol
I have a ?. If a windows based OS is so susceptible to virus’ and malware etc. then why doesnt my windows based cell phone get any virus’ and/or malware??? In which it is on 24/7??