Microsoft offers free Anti-virus

A trial version of Microsoft's liberated anti-virus code has been launched in the US, China, Brazil, and Israel.

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) promises to provide grouping with base protection against viruses, trojans, rootkits and spyware.

The code giant has been criticised in the time for imperfectness to include liberated section code with Windows.

Its first section package, Windows Live OneCare, failed to attract some customers and will be discontinued.

Microsoft is hoping that MSE, available as a liberated download from its site, will prove more popular. It has said it will automatically update it for users.

However, rival section vendors have questioned whether Microsoft can compete with more established anti-virus players.

Family doctor

\"Early reviews of the beta are display that it under-performs when compared to existing freeware products, and substantially below paid solutions,\" said section firm Symantec in a statement.

\"Referring to Microsoft's base anti-virus and anti-spyware creation as an essential section resolution is misleading. Consumers requirement firewall protection, web protection, anti-spam and identity safeguards,\" it said.

J.R Smith, chief executive of section firm AVG, said Microsoft's entry into the section market could \"further confuse consumers most the inexplicit section of their computer\".

\"It's important to discern that Microsoft's persona in the internet section demesne is much like your relationship with your trusty kinsfolk doctor. They can support diagnose the problems. In addition, they treat some general ailments. In the end, though, they are not a replacement for a specialist when you requirement one,\" he said.

Initially 75,000 trial versions of MSE, codenamed Morro, will be available in the US, Brazil, China and Israel.