Microsoft is to release75,000
downloadsof a beta version of itsfree security softwaretoday in the US, Brazil and
Israel.
A wider release of the Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)
software, code-named Morro, is to be made available later this year
to all licensed Windows users, according to the
Financial Times.
Microsoft says the number of consumers that are signing up to
the subscriptions for paid anti-virus has been flat and roughly
half have no up-to-date security software.
The MSE software will tackle viruses, spyware, rootkits and
Trojans to compete with other free security software from AVG
Technologies and Panda Software.
The software is aimed at protecting computer users in the
developing world, which are being increasingly infected with
malware through legitimate websites, Microsoft said.
The software firm will not bundle the program with
Windows 7 or other products to avoid the antitrust charges that
resulted from bundling its media player and internet browser with
Windows.
MSE succeeds the subscription-based OneCare service, which
Microsoft has said it will discontinue when the full version of MSE
is released before the end of the year.