Microsoft introduces free anti-malware package

Microsoft will release the anti-malware package Security Essentials on Tuesday. The free successor to Windows Live OneCare no longer offers firewall and backup, but only antivirus functionality. The virus scanner would perform better.

On Tuesday, Microsoft introduced its anti-malware package Security Essentials. The program will are free to download and must protect Windows users from viruses, spyware, and other malware. Security Essentials is available for Windows XP with SP2 or SP3, Windows Vista and Windows 7. The XP version is only available in 32-bit, the Vista and Windows 7 versions can also handle 64-bit.

Security Essentials was announced in November 2008 under the codename ‘Morro’ and is the free successor to the flopped Windows Live OneCare. That package cost 50 euros per year for three computers; it only achieved a two percent share of the antivirus market. Security Essentials has been in beta with a limited number of users since mid-June. The EULA agreement that beta testers had to accept was due to expire on Wednesday, so the release is not entirely unexpected.

OneCare had backup functionality and a firewall but these are not included in the new package. The independent German antivirus research company AV-Test.org examined Essentials and claims the software outperforms its predecessor. New in the software is the Dynamic Signature Service; if the software thinks it is malware, but it doesn’t match the virus database, it contacts Microsoft servers for more information. As a result, users should be less dependent on updates.

According to Microsoft, the package is mainly intended for users who do not yet run a virus scanner, especially in emerging markets. Still, the package will compete with existing free antivirus products. This would be especially true if the software is distributed via Windows Update; it is not yet known whether this will happen. Developers of free antivirus programs already defended themselves with the release of the beta version; AVG’s CEO called the software inadequate, and Symantec called claims that the program provided adequate protection “misleading.”