Microsoft will be releasing the beta version of its free antivirus software codenamed Morro. Microsoft has been widely criticized for the vulnerability of its operating system Windows. Windows XP has been patched several times for so many security holes found in it including other Microsoft products. The first major respond was the creation of Windows Vista which came with built-in security program - the Windows Defender. Microsoft also has a paid Windows Live OneCare solution. But now, Microsoft finally decided to discontinue the OneCare and instead give a free antivirus software. Microsoft thinks that this no-cost offering will give them an ability to protect an even greater number of customers especially today that the growth of PC purchases has been outpaced by the growth of malware. Microsoft is planning to release Morro on the second half of this year 2009.
In the market today, there are already free antivirus that can be downloaded for free on the internet. This includes Clam AV, Symantec, McAfee, Trend Micro, and Kaspersky. They can be downloaded for free and the antivirus database software can be downloaded for free as well. However, some of these free antivirus software ask a fee for addons and complete or advanced antivirus protection.
Morro as a free antivirus software would potentially kill the free alternatives mentioned above including those for sale in the market. This reminds of the dirty practice of bundling Internet Explorer in its Windows. But needless to say Microsoft can no longer do this with Morro or else it will face another antitrust case from the federal government and sanctions by the European Union.
