Microsoft and free security

By dominic_cook | June 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment 

dominic_cook

Recently Microsoft released a BETA of its ‘Morro’ free anti-virus product. They also announced the name for the product, hence forward, it will be called Microsoft Security Essentials.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a slightly modified and stripped down version of the OneCare product it pulled from the shelves recently.  At a time when we face more threats online and our PCs are being deluged by malware, consumers don’t need less protection – they need more.  Referring to Microsoft’s basic antivirus and antispyware product as an essential security solution could be misleading.  Consumers need firewall protection, Web protection, antispam and identity safeguards – these are among the essentials when it comes to security, and you can only get them through a full Internet security suite provided by security experts.

The reality is that shareware and freeware vendors have been in the market for 20-plus years, it’s a crowded space and Microsoft is just joining the fray.  In addition, early reviews of the beta are showing that it underperforms when compared to existing freeware products, and well below paid solutions such as Norton AntiVirus.

Con Mallon from his own consumer blog – http://itsnotacon.co.uk/

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