Microsoft to launch anti virus product

Blogs and IT news websites have been buzzing recently with the news that Microsoft is beta testing a free product called Security Essentials.

The security software, which is currently only available in the United States, China, Brazil and Israel, aims to provide computer users with basic protection against viruses, trojans and malware.

Some commentators remarked that it is a bit like the fox guarding the hen house! Others felt that users will not trust Microsoft to protect its own operating system.

Competitors including Symantec, the makers of Norton Internet Security have questioned whether Microsoft Security Essentials provides PCs with an adequate level of protection citing that early tests if the beta version are showing that it underperforms when compared to existing freeware products, and well below paid solutions.

Symantec are a competitor so we guess it could be a case of "they would say that wouldn't they?". We hope that the product will become available in the UK later in the year and we will bring you our honest opinion on the product at that time.