First published: 30th June 2009
Microsoft is preparing to release a new anti-virus program, code-named "Morro", by September 2009. A limited beta will be available from 23rd June to users in Israel and Brazil, followed by China in mid-July. Microsoft has announced that "Morro" will be free and released as Microsoft Security Essentials. Microsoft's current consumer anti-virus product, Windows Live OneCare, will be discontinued this month, though definition updates and support will continue for existing customers through the life of their subscriptions.
Microsoft also currently offers two other anti-virus programs: Forefront, for business users, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool, free and aimed at removing the most common malware.
Reaction has been mixed, competitor Symantec criticised its capabilities, "Morro is essentially a stripped-down version of Microsoft's failed OneCare product. It didn't offer adequate protection when it was payware, and it offers even less as freeware," said Dave Cole, senior director of product management at Symantec. Some readers at were more enthusiastic, commenting, "I cant wait to get rid of my 3rd party AV".
David Coursey at ComputerWorld Hong Kong noted that Morro would, "route all the URLs you want to visit by Microsoft first for a check against known malware sites", but this feature was not described in quite the same way in Microsoft's press release, or on other sites. If this URL blocking is a feature, maybe Microsoft is planning to compete with Jinhui Computer System Engineering for the Chinese Government youth protection tender?
Microsoft has a history of not taking the anti-virus marketplace by storm, long before Morro, OneCare, Forefront and the Malicious Software Removal Tool, Microsoft bundled "Microsoft Anti-Virus" (MSAV) free with MS-DOS 6, it was widely regarded as the worst anti-virus software available, and Microsoft quickly discontinued updates.
Updated: 09th March 2017
Updated to replace the obsolete link to the Malicious Software Removal Tool, http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx with the current link: https://www.microsoft.com/download/malicious-software-removal-tool-details.aspx
