Microsoft Releases Beta of New Security Software

Microsoft announced last November that they planned to discontinue their retail Windows Live OneCare security product and replace it with a new free antimalware offering. That time has come. Well, its coming soon. Microsoft just released the Beta of their new Microsoft Security Essentials software.

Aimed at the consumer market, Microsoft Security Essentials leverages the research and resources of the Microsoft Malware Protection Center to identify and block viruses, spyware, and other malicious threats in real-time. It does not replace some of the other functionality of Windows Live OneCare such as defragmenting hard drives or backing up data, but it promises industry leading malware protection at a price that is hard to ignore in this economy- free.

You can get a copy of the Beta version by visiting the Microsoft Security Essentials site. I have downloaded my copy and will post a review of the product in the coming weeks.