Free Microsoft Morro Aimed at Those Without PC Protection
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008
Microsoft recently announced plans to offer free anti-virus software as a download with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and upcoming Windows 7. In mid-2009 Microsoft will replace Windows Live OneCare with this new software, code-named “Morro”. Microsoft wants to “help provide that core level of protection” for the 60% of consumers in developed markets – and even more in emerging markets – who are without up-to-date security protection of their PCs. A smaller footprint version will also be available, making Morro ideal, even for those with low-bandwidth or less-powerful PCs.
Shares of Symantec and McAfee dropped with concerns that Morro will compete with their products. But Microsoft says it will not rival Symantec or McAfee, and it’s “really focused on the 50 to 60 percent of PC users who don’t have, or won’t pay for, anti-virus protection”. Morro will only include anti-malware software, whereas security suites from Symantec & McAfee include encryption, firewalls, password protection, parental controls and data backup programs. Morro is named after Brazil’s Morro de Sao Paolo beach. Brazil is just one of the emerging markets where users generally cannot afford to buy anti-virus suites.
