Microsoft's Free Anti-Malware Product is Out Today

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

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Jane McEntegart
Jane McEntegart
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.

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