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If you heard a deafening swallowing sound sometime in the past day or so, we can explain its origin. The corporate makers of security software must have collectively gulped when Microsoft announced its plans to offer a free consumer security product.
"Morro," as the product's called at the moment (probably named after Morro Castle), is supposed to take care of a lot of stuff. Viruses, spyware, rootkits, and Trojans are all on its kill list. It should require little in the way of bandwidth and computing resources, too, giving Microsoft an "in" with the growing netbook audience.
Amy Barzdukas, Microsoft's senior director of product management for the Online Services and Windows Division, explained in a statement how Microsoft got the idea for Morro, saying, "Customers around the world have told us that they need comprehensive, ongoing protection from new and existing threats, and we take that concern seriously."
She then continued, "This new, no-cost offering will give us the ability to protect an even greater number of consumers, especially in markets where the growth of new PC purchases is outpaced only by the growth of malware."
So when does the rush of consumers getting Morro and software makers going out of business begin? Not for a while. Windows Live OneCare is scheduled to remain on sale through June 30th, 2009, and it's during the phasing out of this product that Morro is supposed to become available for download.
What's more, Morro may not achieve omnipresence even then. Since Microsoft has only advertised it as a security solution for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, a few people are sure to be left out in the cold. Internet Explorer's also mentioned, which might mean Firefox users will be ignored.
Then there are the intentional gaps and potential for problems to consider. In regards to that first subject: encryption, firewalls, password protection, parental controls, and backup programs haven't been addressed.
Still, Morro's introduction looks to be a revolutionary moment in the PC security solution industry. Like that first collective gulp, listen for the sound of Tylenol bottles being opened as the end of June draws closer.
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