Microsoft's Free Anti-Malware Product is Out Today

By Jane McEntegart
published

Microsoft is officially launching its antivirus tool today following a Beta launch in June.

The Redmond-based company pushed out a beta of Microsoft Security Essentials in June, making the software available to users in the United States, Israel (English only), People's Republic of China (Simplified Chinese only) and Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese only). However Bob Muglia, the president of Microsoft's server and tools division said that the tool will be available for everyone today.

Formerly known as Morro, Microsoft Security Essentials endeavors to provide basic protection from various types of malicious software, including trojans, spyware, viruses and even rootkits. Following today's launch Microsoft will completely discontinue OneCare, the company’s current security software that it released three years ago.

While Microsoft's offer of a free security suite that requires no registration, trial or renewal sounds like something that would have competitors worried, it seems major rivals are unfazed by the product. When the Beta launched, neither Symantec nor McAfee batted an eyelid.

Janice Chaffin, Symantec's Consumer division president, said that Morro is basically a stripped down version of OneCare. "A full Internet security suite is what consumers require today to stay fully protected," she told Reuters when news of the software broke this past summer. McAfee said it remained confident in its ability to compete with "anyone who might enter the marketplace."

Download MSE by visiting the download page here (opens in new tab) and be sure to let us know what you think.

Jane McEntegart
49 Comments Comment from the forums
  • So how long until the Justice Department steps in and breaks up Microsoft?
    Reply
  • duckmanx88
    "When the Beta launched, neither Symantec nor McAfee batted an eyelid."

    "Janice Chaffin, Symantec's Consumer division president, said that Morro is basically a stripped down version of OneCare"

    attacking a free product seems like worry to me. it should come with Windows 7 for the old people that don't know that they can get free AV protection from Panda, AVG, and a dozen other products that don't rape your wallet like Norton.
    Reply
  • ssddx
    Providing a stripped down version for free? I suppose it is better than nothing. However, I for one would rather go with either a more reputable free option or a paid subscription. No stripped down protection for me.

    As for the microsoft comment: Doubtful. MS knows how to walk the line rather well by now. In any case, they aren't the worst corporation out there by far.
    Reply
  • cbigfoot
    They better be worried I have switched ALL my computers at my house to security essentials. it is the ONLY antivirus that i have EVER had that was able to clean up a computer hevily infected. it kicks nortons, symantec corporate, mcafee, avgs, and any ones butt the only other antivirus i would recommend would be webroot. As long as Microsoft hasnt messed up this version then i will continue to ONLY use security essentials
    Reply
  • ssddx
    duckmanx88 ..don't rape your wallet like Norton.
    kapersky is even worse imo. I've found it well worth the price though.
    Reply
  • captaincharisma
    hey anythings better than norton and mcafee these days
    Reply
  • IncinX
    One Care to rule them all
    Reply
  • jasperjones
    hoping for a test on tom's to see how it fares vs. other free solutions such as AVG Free, MBAM, etc.

    i'm open-minded at this point. hey yes it's free software from M$, but they have actually delivered a number of neat and useful free tools (e.g., SyncToy).
    Reply
  • well i can say this about norton it has saved my machine on more than a few occasions. but i will give the microsoft one a try to see how it is. plus its always good to have multiple scanners.
    Reply
  • Regulas
    Quote: Janice Chaffin, Symantec's Consumer division president, said that Morro is basically a stripped down version of OneCare. "A full Internet security suite is what consumers require today to stay fully protected,"

    Or just run Linux or buy a Mac, enough said.
    Reply