Free "Morro" antivirus program from MSFT

Microsoft to offer free security

Windows 7 (Microsoft)
The new software will protect machines running XP, Vista, and Windows 7

In a surprise move, Microsoft has announced it will offer a free anti-virus
and security solution from the second half of next year.

It will stop selling OneCare, its all-in-one security and PC management
service, from the end of June 2009.
The new software, code-named Morro, will be a no-frills program suited to
smaller and less powerful computers.
The software will be free to download and will support Windows XP, Vista and
Windows 7.
The move comes as sales of the OneCare subscription service are flagging -
reportedly because the anti-virus marketplace is already flooded with
big-name players such as Symantec and McAfee.
Since its launch in May 2006, OneCare has garnered less than 2% of the
security software market share.
In a statement, Microsoft said that Morro would be designed specifically to
be a small-footprint program that uses fewer system resources. This, it
said, would be ideal for users with low-bandwidth connections or computers
without much processing power.
That will be of particular interest to consumers buying comparatively
low-powered "netbook" computers.
Amy Barzdukas, senior director of product management in the online services
division at Microsoft, said: "This new, no-cost offering will give us the
ability to protect an even greater number of consumers, especially in
markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only by the growth
of malware."

More:
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 1/hi/technology/ 7737520.stm