The beta version of Microsoft’s long awaited antivirus software, codenamed Morro, is out and now the questions about Microsoft’s commitment to security will really fire up again. Of course, if they were so committed to internet security, why don’t they fix IE and Windows instead of constantly patching them. That is a different topic and I want to focus on Morro – Microsoft Security Essentials – and how it will function as a free antivirus. First of all, I have never been a fan of free antivirus software mostly because of the effort and expense that it takes for antivirus to stay up to date. I do not understand the business model of a free antivirus software but this isnt a business 101 class.
Morro is available in beta in the US, Israel and Brazil, as Israel is one of the research centers and Brazil is going to be one of their target markets. Microsoft emphasizes that this is basic internet security, almost as if they are trying to lower the bar so we can’t be disappointed when it releases its full version at the end of 2009, possibly to coincide with the release of Windows 7 in October or November.
So let’s take a look at Morro and see what my initial thoughts are. First, the product is about a 7.5Mb download and installs relatively quickly as compared to any other antivirus software products that I have tested so that part was very nice to see but I was very disappointed in the interface. It was amateurish and very limited with tabs for Home, Update, History and Settings but in the end, I am not really sure we buy antivirus software (or get it free) for the interface.
 So a few more thoughts on Microsoft Security Essentials – while I have not experienced a second update while working on the computer, the full system scan did not have a very negative effect on my computer usage but, that has been on very limited usage today (Morro beta has only been available for a few hours). The other part is a little harder to describe but Morro feels cheap and while it is actually free, I really want to know that I am protected by my antivirus software.
What I see as the biggest downside of Microsoft Security Essentials and their biggest hurdle is technical support. Looking through their FAQs I see that much of the focus is on the interaction with other, antivirus and internet security products. From my experiences with antivirus software and antivirus software companies, the biggest issue and the most frequent technical support inquiry is related to the interaction of the old, removed antivirus and the new one being installed. Microsoft is providing almost no support for this product and that will be their biggest issue gaining widespread acceptance.
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Microsoft has clearly stated that their intent is to provide internet security to places around the world that do not tend to focus on security and this product may just do the trick. Brazil is going to be one of their target markets, so free antivirus may be the way to go. The cost of antivirus in the US has come down so dramatically that you can get a years worth of protection for $20 and that includes support so I see Microsoft having an uphill battle knocking off the likes of Symantec and McAfee and many of the smaller but more aggressive players in the market.
I will check back in with you in a couple of weeks after I have been kicking around Morro for a while.
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