Microsoft to provide free anti-virus software

[cliff_drew]

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SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft said Thursday it will soon release free anti-virus software so people on tight budgets won't skimp on protecting their computers from hackers.

A beta, or test, version of Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) will be publicly available for download beginning June 23 in Brazil, Israel and the United States. It is to be rolled out in other countries later in the year.

"Cost and performance barriers prevent many consumers from using up-to-date security software to protect their PCs," Microsoft said in a statement.

The US software giant described MSE as "a no-cost anti-malware solution that provides consumers with quality protection from threats including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans."

The technology firm said that effective anti-virus protection is a "must-have" for computer users given increases in the number and severity of attacks by cyber criminals using malicious software to infect machines.

Paying to buy and routinely update computer security software "does not meet the needs of many consumers," including those in emerging markets where money and resources are scarce, according to Microsoft.

The Redmond, Washington-based company said it will automatically update MSE for users.

Source: ABS-CBN News Online Beta

[bluedes]

kung parehas ni ug performance sa windows defender, ay na lng.. pass lng ko..

[obemon]

Whatever Microsoft does, they can't win.

If it turns out to be a shi!tty free anti-virus/malware solution, then people will be complaining on how crap it is and well should all stick to NOD32 or Kaspersky instead.

If it turns out to be a really good free anti-virus/malware solution, then companies like Symantec, McAfee, and TrendMicro, will probably take Microsoft to court and complain that Microsoft is using their monopoly again to gain advantage over their products.

[nirdle_phogi]

mao2 ra sad tali ni sa AVG ug Avira Antivur na free edition ug behaviour, pang-deleton ang infected files.. WTF! imbis i-heal, deleton na nuon..

[cliff_drew]

Let's see how is this free software going.

[butitoy]

b4 this happens.

update ur antivirus used.

for sure..virus abound!

no conspiracy here.based on experience lang with the XP SP2 launch.

[obemon]

The beta is available now.

--> LINK

[Seiryuu]

its free therefore we shouldn't complain too much...also, for it being free, we should expect that this software MAY not level with the ones that you have to buy...

[cliff_drew]

The beta is available now.

--> LINK

This is only available on four countries.

This beta is available only to customers in the United States, Israel (English only), People's Republic of China (Simplified Chinese only) and Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese only)

[obemon]

^^
I'm in New Zealand and I was able to download it earlier with that link I provided. Obviously Microsoft just changed recently the product's official site.


Anyways you can try this other link below:
https://connect.microsoft.com/securityessentials

(You just need to login to Microsoft's Connect website and participate in a survey or something)