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Microsoft to replace Live OneCare with free alternative
Microsoft announced yesterday that Live OneCare, its anti-virus/malware application, will be put to rest on June 30, 2009. A replacement offering is slated for release around the same time.Currently codenamed Morro, the new program will be completely free. Microsoft's aim is to "[..]focus on getting the majority of consumers the essential protection they need by providing comprehensive, real-time anti-malware protection, covering such threats as viruses, spyware, rootkits, trojans, and other emerging threats, in a single, focused solution."
That's a fairly altruistic mission statement. Even though Microsoft has received plenty of praise for apps like SteadyState and Live Writer, the public still doesn't perceive Microsoft as a company that gives away good software for free.
And then there's last month's software report by NPD, which showed Live OneCare actually outselling McAffee Virusscan. It's done fairly well in terms of sales, so why change now?
The move makes sense in at least one way: protecting their own OS from malicious applications. Work never stops when it comes to finding exploitable weaknesses in Windows. If the new product is widely adopted and works at least as well as other free protection offerings (like Avast, AVG, Avira, Comodo), Windows might appear a bit more secure.
For full details, visit the Live OneCare team blog.
[ via BetaNews ]
Comments
10
Subscribe to commentsChris LiphartNov 19th 2008 11:11AM
Guess that explains why OneCare doesn't even install in Windows 7. They at least stopped development on the installer. I wonder what they're going to do for subscribers?
The GnomeNov 19th 2008 11:25AM
What about making Windows more secure, so that users will stop using avs that just make PCs slower?
blackcoffeenosugarNov 19th 2008 11:54AM
This somehow reminds the old Internet Explorer v.s. Netscape story. But who is going to be the next victim? McAfee, Symantec or someone else? Put your bet now!
The PostmanNov 19th 2008 2:10PM
The difference is that McAfee and Norton are two of the most irritating apps out there..
ChristianNov 19th 2008 12:19PM
I would love to use Live one care but sadly I notice it runs sooo slow compare to avast... I couldn't handle how much it tries to take to load on general things. If they can only make it run less intrusive...
Stephen.4Nov 19th 2008 10:20PM
Why don't they just integrate it into Windows 7 before it's out. And in some updates to XP and Vista... If it's free, why not just include it. Who doesn't want protection? It's free...
UnknownNov 21st 2008 6:54AM
they cant cause of all those antitrust lawsuits
gameprogrammer81Nov 19th 2008 4:34PM
I bet it'll be included with Windows 7.
I'll stick to avast! and SAS.
QuikboyNov 19th 2008 11:12PM
OneCare is pretty neat, which is too bad that it's dying away. I love the ease at creating a PC hub for OneCare security, and the ease of use. OneCare is also less annoying than the other for-pay security suites. In fact, OneCare is the reason why Symantec and McAfee have created better suites, because OneCare was making anti-virus programs more snazzy than the crud the other two threw out.
I don't like the brand of Morro though. It doesn't sound as cool as OneCare or give the memories of it. Oh well. Maybe Morro will do it's job well.
Dan W LeeJan 3rd 2009 2:45PM
My subscription for OneCare is due in February.......... and Microsoft still wants their $49. Are they going to do a partial refund in June for the current subscribers?