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View Full Version : MS to Release Free Anti-Virus Service

Emabulator
06-12-2009, 10:00 AM
Bit-tech is reporting (http://www.bit-tech.net/news/bits/2009/06/12/microsoft-to-release-free-anti-virus-servic/1) Microsoft is planning to release a free anti-virus service.

Microsoft has said it is gearing up to release a free anti-virus service aimed squarely at competing with products from Symantec and McAfree in particular.

The software giant's employees are already testing an early version of the software, which is codenamed Morro, and Microsoft has said that it will soon release a beta version to the public. The Microsoft spokesperson stopped short of giving an availability date for the trial version, though.

Investors are closely monitoring the free service amid concerns that it may hurt sales of products from Symantec and McAfee - both billions of dollars of revenue each year with their paid-for anti-virus suites.
Mr.Green
06-12-2009, 10:02 AM
which is codenamed Morro

Talk about feeding the trolls...
brandonjclark
06-12-2009, 10:05 AM
If this doesn't work for Microsoft, as OneCare has been a major failure, then I'm not sure they'll ever break into this ground.

The sad thing is, wouldn't you think that Microsoft would know more about fixing their security issues than anyone else?
Syl
06-12-2009, 10:07 AM
Windows Defender does a pretty good job for malware, but they bought out another team to make that happen..
Mr.Green
06-12-2009, 10:11 AM
Windows Defender does a pretty good job for malware, but they bought out another team to make that happen..

And...?

Buying out companies is the best way to hire competent people when you can afford it.
brandonjclark
06-12-2009, 10:22 AM
The biggest problem I have with the service is that users will be forced to run through a Microsoft proxy server when visiting sites to check for malware.

That might be slower and I'm sure as hell not comfortable with that.
RUSKULL
06-12-2009, 10:29 AM
Why do I feel like this is going to create more problems than it prevent?
modeps
06-12-2009, 10:32 AM
The biggest problem I have with the service is that users will be forced to run through a Microsoft proxy server when visiting sites to check for malware.

That might be slower and I'm sure as hell not comfortable with that.

Maybe I read this a little too fast, but I didn't see any indication of going through a proxy. You hear about this before?
Metal Jesus
06-12-2009, 10:32 AM
To me, this would compete with AVG... which is what I use on PCs and is already free.
BabyJesus
06-12-2009, 10:40 AM
I used MS OneCare for while and it worked fine and made it simple to make sure the Kiddies PC's/Laptop were up to date because they were part of my "group". Never got a virus even with the kids bad habits, I don't know why they just didn't make that free.

I can see some legal challenges from the other paid virus software makers though. Its going to be a bit of a kick in the pants, even AVG and Avira only give your their software free to plug their paid product.
drakkarim
06-12-2009, 10:46 AM
about fracking time. symantec/mcafee/etc can go frack themselves.

if any of them sue i hope they burn in hell. this kind of shit should be standard with the OS, like burning of all media and playback of all movies.
drakkarim
06-12-2009, 10:48 AM
To me, this would compete with AVG... which is what I use on PCs and is already free.

compete my asshat, this is what's needed for all the retards out there that buy a computer with some worthless trail virus software installed that expired 2 years ago and thinking they're protected against something besides their stupidity.
DocOblivion
06-12-2009, 10:56 AM
A built-in antivirus solution is loooong overdue on Microsoft's part. As soon as Windows gained the OS majority share and accordingly became the favored playground of virus writers, they should have done right by their customers and included an semi-automated means of obtaining viral definitions and scanning for them.

If Microsoft includes this in Windows 7, and keeps the default settings unobtrusive (i.e., downloads virus defs in the background, runs low-impact scans during idle times, and more thorough scans on demand), I don't see why this wouldn't succeed...
Mr.Green
06-12-2009, 10:59 AM
compete my asshat, this is what's needed for all the retards out there that buy a computer with some worthless trail virus software installed that expired 2 years ago and thinking they're protected against something besides their stupidity.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/mrgreen72/lolcats-funny-pictures-angermanagem.jpg

That's harsh. I've been an IT professional for 17 years now but I never look down on technologically-challenged people like that. Chances are that those "retards" know stuff you don't. I'm sorry but this kind of rant only makes you come across as an angsty teenager.

/petpeeve.
Valinoth
06-12-2009, 11:14 AM
About time Microsoft
Tintivilo
06-12-2009, 11:27 AM
AV software would be even better if the company who created it was accountable for your getting it, oh well
Ulysses
06-12-2009, 12:11 PM
That's harsh. I've been an IT professional for 17 years now but I never look down on technologically-challenged people like that. Chances are that those "retards" know stuff you don't. I'm sorry but this kind of rant only makes you come across as an angsty teenager.

Yep, one annoying trait some of my fellow engineers have. Everyone's ignorant about something once, after all. This is good news, assuming it works well, but if they bundle it with their OS, that's going to cause them a lot of headaches.
BigBPlaya
06-12-2009, 12:45 PM
This is a smart move by Microsoft. If they can incorporate the AV software right in the OS, it will surely boost Windows OS sales. And of course, a boxed copy of Windows is at least twice the cost of the average boxed AV software. Symantec and others should be worried.

Not to mention there are too many free options for AV available. I haven't paid for antivirus software in over four years now(used the McAfee service that Comcast provided for three years and have used F-Secure with Charter for one). Come to think of it, I have never paid for AV software. Once the trial year expired on my PC I ran it without updated definitions.
vallor
06-12-2009, 01:12 PM
I really like OneCare... nearly complete hands off management and it had all the stuff I needed built in.

I never got a virus before cause I am pretty good about keeping my computer clean and watch what I download but OneCare gave me an extra level of comfort.
Meusli
06-12-2009, 03:24 PM
There is no way on earth they will incorparate this into the operating system. Look at all the hassle they get putting internet explorer in, stupid EU.
ShooterMcgavin
06-12-2009, 05:59 PM
Why do they need to provide this service? Why don't they simply make their OS more secure?
Major Dan
06-12-2009, 06:53 PM
'bout time, their damn fault anyway and I refuse to pay for "Virus Protection". Isn't that what a condom is for?
Major Dan
06-12-2009, 06:54 PM
Why do they need to provide this service? Why don't they simply make their OS more secure?

either way, they are making it more secure....for FREEEEE! Good on them.
drakkarim
06-12-2009, 08:41 PM
Why do they need to provide this service? Why don't they simply make their OS more secure?

because as soon as they make it 'secure enough', people will bitch that its locked down and microsoft is telling them what they can and can't do with their own copy of the OS.

please, making an OS 'secure' is like making a lock that can't be broken. i.e. never going to happen.

if one human mind can come up with a mouse trap, another human mind is capable of getting around the mouse trap.
Valkyrist
06-13-2009, 01:05 AM
Even if it's not perfect, I will be willing to use it IF it doesn't screw with my day-in-day out programs/games like mcafee and the like do.

If I had a dollar for everytime a raid member got booted from WoW because their anti-virus software kicked in, I could retire early.