Microsoft has launched a trial version of its upcoming anti-virus suite in the US, China, Brazil and Mexico.
According to the company, Security Essentials is intended to provide basic defence against viruses, trojans, rootkits and spyware. However, it stressed that it is not an alternative to full security suites, describing its offering as a "core level of protection".
The software was first detailed in November 2008 following the announcement that Microsoft was ending support for its premium security suite Live OneCare.
Speaking at the time, Microsoft's senior director of product management Amy Barzdukas said that Security Essentials was designed to cut down on the numbers of unprotected PCs, rather than compete with vendors such as Symantec, McAfee and AVG.
"We know that there are still some 60 per cent of consumers in developed markets and even more in emerging markets, that don't have up-to-date security protection on their PCs, and we wanted to help provide that core level of protection," she said.
Microsoft has not announced when the software will be available in the UK.
Advertisement
Related Stories
- Microsoft UK pricing could rise Feb 3rd 2012 at 12:06PM
- Microsoft Windows Phone 8 details emerge Feb 3rd 2012 at 6:49AM
- Google describes 'Bouncer' Android anti-malware system Feb 3rd 2012 at 6:41AM
- Apple OS X updates released Feb 2nd 2012 at 5:44AM
- Symantec tells users to disable PCAnywhere Jan 27th 2012 at 7:10AM
- Windows 8 wireless networking improvements Jan 23rd 2012 at 5:38AM
- Microsoft's Windows revenue down Jan 20th 2012 at 5:53AM
- Russian gang expose shuts down Facebook virus Koobface Jan 19th 2012 at 4:38AM
- Microsoft promotes 'crapware'-free PCs as a selling point Jan 11th 2012 at 7:59AM
Follow Follow this article if you would like to receive notifications of updates.
Add a new comment
You need to be logged in to post comments. If you do not have an account then please register.
Comments
0 comments
There are no comments yet, be the first to add one!