Microsoft has launched it’s free anti virus software (link) that is compatible with Windows 7 (it’s important to note that many of the anti virus software are still not compatible with Windows 7, which is scheduled to be launched in the month of October).
Historical Perspective
All virus makers/spammers target Microsoft/Windows (the Conficker worm itself has infected 10 million computers running Vista/XP), owing to the sheer market share that Windows enjoy. Hence, there are tons of anti virus software that compliment the OS, which in turn helps MS a tighter hold on the OS market.
Code named Morro, Security Essentials is a malware scanning engine (it is a replacement of Live OneCare service which is discontinued now) and the technology is the result of MS’s earlier acquisition, Giant and Sybari.
Coming back to the point raised in this article, Microsoft launching a competitive application will hurt other ISVs who pretty much exists, because Windows exists!
In order to combat the ‘G’’s cloud services, is Microsoft trying to do all things on it’s own (and rely less on ISVs)? Will MS bundle it’s free anti virus with Windows (and invite lawsuits)?
What’s your opinion?
Norton, one of the anti virus maker has even launched a video poking all the free anti virus software.
Hi Ashish,
I took a few minutes to understand the business logic behind this. MIcrosoft doesnt usually do anything if it doesnt have the potential to make money. This however makes a lot of sense as the biggest problem MS faces is the lack of automatic updates (which are the biggest cause of the OS being attacked). An AV app will help do this independently and therefore add one more protection layer. I would also not be surprised if its built on existing OneCare codebase.
As an IT guy however I would BUY a 3rd party AV as a) I am not sure the QoS MS will have for this free one. b) Better to hedge risks with another provider (7 has good security checks built in) c) Most of the big AV guys maintain and update large scale virus trends, patterns etc. They are the best for the security business than MS (you did mention the failure of Live OneCare).
Loved the Norton Ad!
I’d like to believe this is as PR Cover to save themselves from flak against high-cost-vulnerable s/w that they have been selling all these years. Sorry, no donuts for MS!
This is just another trick to fool the users. Microsoft does not give anything for free. They are just trying to create dependency of users. I am very sure that this ‘Free Antivirus’ is gonna do something which it should not do..
If microsoft really cares about its users & their security, they need to improve their file system. this is the root cause of viruses & ms is not fool to understand this. still they are deliberately keeping loopholes in the file system so that users need more and more support, through which more money can be generated.
ms is a good copier, they have copied so many things before & they’ll keep doing the same, then why can’t they copy a very good file system like ext3 & make their operating system virus free??
The answer is very simple.. Money!!!!!!!!!!
While I agree to views that MS has lots to improve to make OS virus free, this free AV software is a good offering. The biggest problem that MS OS has is virus attacks, especially for non-techie users. This probably will help to reduce those if not eliminate totally and using a MS freeware is much better than any other freeware.
not bad