Microsoft Releases Free Anti-Virus Beta

In a press release last November, Microsoft announced that “To address the growing need for a PC security solution tailored to the demands of emerging markets, smaller PC form factors and rapid increases in the incidence of malware, Microsoft Corp. plans to offer a new customer security offering focused on core anti-malware protection.”

Code-named “Morro,” they said the solution would be available the second half of 2009 and in order focus efforts on this new software product, that sales of the subscription service Windows Live OneCare would be discontinued by the end of June 2009.

Microsoft released the beta of their new software, “Microsoft Security Essentials,” on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 for downloads on a first come, first serve basis to the public.  Less that one day later, Microsoft cut off downloads leaving a message on their web site saying “Thank you for your interest in joing the Microsoft Security Essentials Beta.  We are not accepting additional participants at this time…”

This free security offering by Microsoft is said to provide protection against computer viruses, spyware, and rootkits and a final release of the product is expected around September.

Unfortunately, I was unable to secure a copy of the beta so I have not been able to test the software personally, but Brian Krebs with the Washington Post wrote a nice article on the installation and use of the program if you are interested if checking that out.

I have read on a couple of web sites that the free software is aimed at competing with many retail security solutions such as Symantec and McAfee, but only time will tell.