Microsoft to unveil free anti-virus software

[soumya]

Microsoft Corp is getting ready to unveil a long-anticipated free anti-virus service for personal computers that will compete with products sold by Symantec Corp and McAfee Inc.

A Microsoft spokesman said on Wednesday that the world's biggest software maker is testing an early version of the product with its own employees. Microsoft would "soon" make a trial version, or product beta, available via its website, he added, but declined to provide a specific date.

Symantec shares fell 0.5 percent on Nasdaq and McAfee fell 1.3 percent on the New York Stock Exchange, while Microsoft was up 2.1 percent. The Nasdaq composite index was down 0.47 percent.

Investors are closely monitoring the free service, code-named Morro after Brazil's Morro de Sao Paolo beach, amid concern it could hurt sales of products from Symantec and McAfee, which generate billions of dollars of revenue a year protecting Windows PCs from attacks by hackers.

"It's a long-term competitive threat," said Daniel Ives, an analyst with FBR Capital Markets, though he added that the near-term impact was minimal.

Microsoft has said that Morro will offer basic features for fighting a wide range of viruses, which would likely make it comparable to low-end consumer products from Symantec and McAfee that cost about $40 per year.

REUTERS

[krishnandu.sarkar]

Well lets c......!!!!!

[ishanjain]

The word "Free" sounds awkward when used with "Microsoft"
Lets hope this is not another windows defender.....

[ravi_9793]

Originally Posted by ishanjain

The word "Free" sounds awkward when used with "Microsoft"

Microsoft do have some free stuffs like, skyDrive, live writer etc.

Lets hope this is not another windows defender.....

Windows defender is a good Antispyware.

[a_k_s_h_a_y]

Its just for namesake obviously.
Also how sad, Microsoft Windows Sucks so much that, they are developing Anti Virus for it.
Why not instead make the OS itself more secure. how Ironic and LOLs.

[Sathish]

just an another windows defender..

[ico]

[Indyan]

Originally Posted by a_k_s_h_a_y

Its just for namesake obviously.
Also how sad, Microsoft Windows Sucks so much that, they are developing Anti Virus for it.
Why not instead make the OS itself more secure. how Ironic and LOLs.

Actually Windows 7 is pretty secure. An OS is too big a software to not have some vulnerability or the other. But things do get better with time.
Its possible to write viruses for Macs also but no one bother with something that less than 5% marketshare.

[x3060]

well...lets give it sometime and see...anyways, am secure with nod32.

[NucleusKore]

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

[Cool Joe]

[MetalheadGautham]

I thought Windows Defender was already there ?

[axxo]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

I thought Windows Defender was already there ?

yeah but that protects from spyware only,
windows livecare for virus
if am not wrong..
expect more in the series...
windows surrender for trojans
windows wondercake for adware
windows carefree for malware..
etc..

[saqib_khan]

Microsoft would "soon" make a trial version, or product beta, available via its website, he added, but declined to provide a specific date.

Err..trial version of a free software??? Heared for first time.

[swordfish]

best one is microsoft myphone.. backs up your phone every day

[sanyaldk]

funny anti virus

[Krazzy Warrior]

lol

[cooldudie3]

even if this comes out, I think I would be safer to stick with other AVs.
and Live OneCare thought Skype was a malware/adware. Hilarious, I doubt this will succeed

[azzu]

wow a free (anti)virus software frm Microsoft
sounds interesting lets c Wat they bring out finally
sounds weird to me free and Microsoft

[topgear]

It's the same thing compared with other AVs if you compare intel graphics with Nvidia/ATI grpahics cards

[phuchungbhutia]

Yet another resource hogger . . Probably ll b free in its beta stage right then ll start charging . . Some business strategy

[apoorva84]

I tried Microsoft Security Essentials Beta and its not a resource hog and it works decently...