Microsoft confirms release of free anti-virus software

Bringing a host of features such as virus, spyware, malware and ad-ware protection, the program is free of charge and is already gaining widespread support. "Consumers have told us that they want the protection of real-time security software but we know that too many are either unwilling or unable to pay for it, and so end up unprotected,” Amy Barzdukas, general manager for consumer security at Microsoft, said in a press release. “With Microsoft Security Essentials, consumers can get high-quality protection that is easy to get and easy to use — and it won’t get in their way.” But the software has been slammed by anti-virus companies such as Symantec, who claim that the product doesn't give the full range of protection that you would normally get with one of their products and that it is a 'retreat' from the PC protection arena following the failure of Windows Live OneCare. “Referring to Microsoft’s basic anti-virus and anti-spyware product as an essential security solution is misleading. Consumers need firewall protection, web protection, anti-spam and identity safeguards,” Symantec said earlier this year in a statement. Either way the term "free" is sure to attract lots of attention from users, especially since the consumer product is built from the same foundation as Microsoft's corporate offering Forefront. Microsoft Security Essentials will be available in eight languages and 19 countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. More information about Microsoft Security Essentials and the product download will be available here sometime today.