Microsoft provides 'free for all' security

Microsoft founder Bill Gates

Microsoft has unveiled its Essentials package to the public... and at no charge.

Its second attempt to make an 'own brand' security package, Microsoft's Security Essentials is available to download from the computer giant's website and encompasses protection from viruses, Trojan horses, rootkits, and spyware.

Microsoft said the software would be available to anyone who wanted to use it and downloading it would not involve registering with the software firm or having a limit on the amount of time it could be used. The company stated they released the software due to the ever increasing numbers of malware attacks and the small amount of users that have sufficient protection.

"About 50 percent of PC users in the UK do not have up-to-date anti-virus software, and it doesn't make business sense for Microsoft if lots of Windows PCs are getting infected," said Julia Owen, Windows Client product manager for Microsoft UK.

General manager for consumer security at Microsoft, Amy Barzdukas, agrees, "Consumers have told us that they want the protection of real-time security software, but that they are confused by trials and renewals and concerned about performance and as a result, too many are unprotected."

The only restriction on use is that it has to be installed on a "genuine" Windows PC - one whose copy of its operating system has been verified by Microsoft. Therefore anyone who used a colleague's copy of Windows or a 'pirated' version, won't be able to use it.

The package has already been released as a 'beta version', codenamed Morro, in the US, China, Brazil, and Israel.

It is a clear move on Microsoft's part to get into the security package market, a sector that offers plenty of competition yet no clear leader. Other competitors include AVG, Alwil Avast, Avira Antivir and Comodo, not to mention bigger names like Norton and Symantec. Many of these firms have, unsurprisingly, stated that Microsoft's product is simply not as effective as paid-for solutions.

"Microsoft Security Essentials is a stripped down version of their old OneCare product which was poorly rated by industry experts and users alike," a Symantec spokesperson told V3.co.uk.

"From a security perspective, this Microsoft tool offers reduced defences at a critical point in the battle against cyber crime."

There has also been criticism that the security suite drastically affects the performance of computers, slowly processing speed, however Microsoft have dismissed this.

"We wanted it to be capable of running on as many machines as possible, and it runs quietly and silently. You just install it and forget it," said Cliff Evans, head of security and privacy for Microsoft UK.

The free software runs on Windows XP, Vista and will also be available for Windows 7 when it is released in late October. Any updates will be provided automatically to those who install the software.

Prior to working on Security Essentials, Microsoft offered its Windows Live OneCare paid security software but this failed to win a significant user base in the highly competitive consumer market. This software was withdrawn in mid-2009.

Like this article? Get the RSS feed: