Microsoft has opened up the beta testing of its OneCare
Live anti-virus subscription software to the public.
The company is also beta testing an anti-spyware product. With
Windows XP already featuring a bundled personal firewall, Microsoft
will soon be able to offer a full range of basic security
products.
The OneCare product has been in beta since spring and Microsoft
has now extended the testing to anyone with a US English version of
Windows XP with Service Pack 2.
Those using the service will get automatic anti-virus software
updates direct from Microsoft, in the same way other users get them
from the likes of Symantec, McAfee and Trend Micro.
OneCare will become a commercial product next year, and beta
users will be among the first to be offered the service when it
launches. Pricing for the product has so far not been
finalised.
An enterprise version of OneCare is also in the offing from
Microsoft. By the end of the year, Microsoft plans to release an
initial test version of its new Microsoft Client Protection
product, to protect business desktops, laptops and servers.