Free microsoft anti-virus coming soon

Microsoft will soon be launching its FREE Antivirus service for personal computers! A beta version of Microsoft's free antivirus software -- code-named Morro -- will soon be available from the company's Web site, according to a report.

Microsoft employees are already testing the software ahead of a broader rollout in the near future. The company declined to provide a specific date for Morro's release, but said the trial version would be available "soon."

Microsoft announced its plan to replace its Windows Live OneCare security software with a free anti-virus product last November.

The company said at the time that Morro would help encourage more people to take anti-virus seriously, claiming nearly 50 percent of Windows users don't have an antivirus tool installed on their PC.

"Our goal with OneCare was to get more customers more protected, and I don't think we were able to do that to the extent that we would have liked," said Amy Barzdukas, a senior director of product management with Microsoft. "As we look around the world now, the countries where PC growth is most rapid, in emerging markets such as Brazil and India and China, the malware threat is even greater."

However, Morro, which is expected to run Windows OneCare's antimalware engine but will use fewer system resources, won't be bundled into the operating system, Barzdukas said at the time. That decision could help placate concerns from security software vendors, whose ability to sell anti-virus products to consumers would be hampered if Microsoft bundled a free tool with its operating systems.

Features

According to Microsoft, Morro will offer basic features like fighting wide range malicious software including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans, making it comparable to low-end consumer products already existing in the market.

It is being said that the launch of the free Antivirus from Microsoft could overthrow sales of Symantec and McAfee products that cost about $40 per year, currently generating billions of dollars a year.

Supported Operating Systems

“Morro” will be available as a stand-alone download and offer malware protection for

- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- The Windows Operating System which has came of the ages with Windows 7.

Microsoft says that when used in conjunction with the ongoing security and privacy enhancements of Windows and Internet Explorer, this new solution will offer consumers a robust, no-cost security solution to help protect against the majority of online threats.

It sure will be very interesting to see how the features of Morro would compare against products from its competitors. Let’s wait and watch!