Likely arriving as something of a potential gut punch for the aforementioned vendors, Redmond-based Microsoft has this week revealed that it plans to serve up a new consumer security solution focused on providing core protection against malicious online attacks (malware).

Currently known under the working name of “Morro,” Microsoft has outlined that its free “streamlined solution” will arrive in the second half of 2009 and provide users with comprehensive protection against the likes of online viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans.

Furthermore, Microsoft claims that its complementary suite will also require a smaller footprint and use “fewer computing resources,” (fewer than what?) which, the software specialist says, will make it ideal for low-bandwidth scenarios or less powerful PC systems.

“Customers around the world have told us that they need comprehensive, ongoing protection from new and existing threats, and we take that concern seriously,” commented Amy Barzdukas, senior director of product management for Microsoft's Online Services and Windows division.

“This new, no-cost offering will give us the ability to protect an even greater number of consumers, especially in markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only by the growth of malware,” she added.

And, throwing a little extra shine on the unveiling of Morro, Microsoft has also used the media platform to announce that, as of June 30, 2009, it will discontinue retail sales of its Windows Live OneCare subscription package.

For those doubting the worth of a free security suite, while not including many of the non-security features found in priced solutions, Morro is built on Microsoft's award-winning malware protection engine and will draw from the same enterprise anti-malware technology that runs through the company's line of security products. So, nothing to sniff at considering the total cost is a rather large zero.

Also, Microsoft hopes Morro's lack of non-security features can be compensated for through the sales discontinuation of Windows Live OneCare, which itself carries a number of such features including printer sharing and PC tune-up.

“By offering such basic protection at no charge to the consumer, Microsoft is promoting a safer environment for PCs, service providers and e-commerce itself, since it is through unprotected PCs that the worst threats are introduced to the system as a whole,” noted Roger Kay, founder and president of Endpoint Technologies Associates.

“Morro” will be available as a stand-alone download and offer malware protection for the Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. When used in conjunction with the ongoing security and privacy enhancements of Windows and Internet Explorer, this new solution will offer consumers a robust, no-cost security solution to help protect against the majority of online threats.

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