by MJ Logan

Created on: June 17, 2009   Last Updated: June 23, 2009

Microsoft's (MSFT) announcement that it will offer free anti-malware software is garnering a ho-hum reaction from competitors including McAfee (MFE), Symantec (SYMC), and others.

Microsoft (MSFT) is the worlds largest provider of operating systems for personal computers with offerings in server software, office productivity, gaming and much more. The original supplier of DOS for the IBM PC and later Windows, Microsoft (MSFT) is a world wide software giant.

Semantec (SYMC) supplies anti-malware and other packages such as PC Anywhere for personal computers. With roots going back to Peter Norton and his Norton Utilities software, Semantec offers "Norton" products for home PC's and "Semantec" products for business.

McAfee (MFE) holds the largest market share of corporate anti-malware sales. Founded in 1987, McAfee ranks as the worlds largest corporation dedicated to computer security. Their products span the markets of home to small and medium business's to large enterprise and government organizations.

Code named "Morro", Microsoft's (MSFT) new anti-malware package will be available in the second half of 2009. The free package will protect against spyware, viruses, trojans and rootkits. Their current package, OneCare, has less than two percent of the market.

Microsoft (MSFT) is making a move to take back market share. However, their current product is an intrusive resource hog with poor functional performance. Will Morro be any better? Time will tell, but industry experts say it is unlikely.

Microsoft (MSFT) has already has already proven themselves incapable of providing secure software. Constant updates and security patches to fix holes and flaws in software that should have been vetted in testing provide evidence that the Redmond, WA giant rushes products to market and deals with problems after the fact.

In contrast, the anti-malware companies providing functional and well tested software have systems in place that find and detect new, in-the-wild threats and deal with them quickly and efficiently. Unobtrusive, in the background updating of malware databases takes place as users work efficiently and often unaware their system is kept up to date with the latest defenses against new threats.

If new users find Morro intrusive, annoying, and ineffective with controls that don't address key concerns or needs effectively, they will turn to better products to keep banking and other personal information secure. Many will dismiss other free offerings and turn to full version packages that provide complete security with controls and settings to fit their needs and preferences.

In the end, Morro is more likely to provide a bevy new customers rather than a loss to Symantec (SYMC), McAfee (MFE) and others. Computer resellers such as Best Buy (BBY) that offer installation services at the time of sale will have one more service to offer - removal of Morro and installation of a full version competing product.

Best Buy (BBY) is a large, big box retailer specializing in consumer electronics and appliances.

The responses to Microsoft's (MSFT) announcement seem to carry a general theme: the main players in the anti-malware business won't be changing their business significantly to do battle with Microsoft's new offering.

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