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Microsoft To Offer Free Anti-Virus Software

Posted by kdawson on from the another-industry-done-gone dept.

Dynamoo writes "The good news is that Microsoft have announced free anti-virus software for consumers, dubbed Morro, available late next year. The bad news is ... well, exactly the same. Although Microsoft's anti-malware products are pretty good, this move could drive many competitors out of business and create a dangerous security monoculture; major rivals will be lawyering up already. On the other hand, many malware infections could be prevented even by basic software. So is this going to be a good or bad thing overall?"

12 of 448 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah, but by NoStrings · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does it run on Linux?

  2. The real question is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...will Morro detect and remove Vista?

    1. Re:The real question is... by Enderandrew · · Score: 1, Funny

      Well a virus is an irritating program that eats up resources, making your computer unstable, interfering with hardware, replicates and repairs itself when you attempt to delete it, and drives you insane.

      I can't imagine why someone would describe Windows as a virus.

      --
      http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
    2. Re:The real question is... by nabsltd · · Score: 2, Funny

      No acrobat, i don't need to be running all the time. You listening, Apple?

      Apple might be listening, but it's unlikely they can do anything about Adobe Acrobat starting when you log in to Microsoft Windows.

  3. My thanks by cyrus0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    That reminds me, I need to put duct tape over all the rust on my car. Thing should hold up like a champ!

  4. Is it a vacuum cleaner? by RiffRafff · · Score: 1, Funny

    No? Then it's gonna suck.

    --
    "I might have made a tactical error in not going to a physician for 20 years." -- Warren Zevon
  5. Hilarity ensues by symbolset · · Score: 4, Funny

    The opportunities for humor start here and go on forever. I guess we might as well start:

    "My God! Its full of fails!" "Like buying antibiotics from the hooker." "TrunkMonkey equipped with chair." "Would you like Warez with that?" "Antivirus vendors: Oooh. That's what 'gold partner' means!" "Hi, I'm a Mac ... and I'm a PC (achoo)." Good Lord this stuff writes itself. Hold on while I microwave some popcorn.

    --
    Help stamp out iliturcy.
  6. Re:Won't hurt competition. by Ethanol-fueled · · Score: 3, Funny

    Don't listen to parent, his "free" options are a sham.

    For example, somebody suggested the Clam AV for Windows and it all it did was turn my screen into a black box with gibberish in it. If it wasn't for my swift hard reset, CLAM AV may have broken my computer!

  7. OK, I'm back by symbolset · · Score: 2, Funny

    Mr. Obama: "And now Mr. Ballmer, let me show you my fully armed antitrust division."

    AV companies: "I can haz bailout?" Paulson: "No can haz. Not yours."

    But will there be a Linux version?

    Of course it requires WGA. Why wouldn't it require WGA?

    Somebody stop me please.

    --
    Help stamp out iliturcy.
  8. Re:re Hard to decide ... by martin-boundary · · Score: 4, Funny

    The ones who practice safe computing probably don't come in as much.

    Yeah, they probably even use Linux. Savages.

  9. The Real Question Is... by elthicko · · Score: 2, Funny

    does it detect Vista as a virus?

  10. HaHa by secondhand_Buddah · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is like the cigarette companies selling cancer treatments.

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    Participatory Governance : The only feasible option for a real democracy, where everyone really does have a say.