A recent article in PC Magazine shares the research that Microsoft’s OneCare product finished dead-last in side-by-side comparisons to other anti-virus software.
“We recently learned that AV Comparatives conducted tests on Windows Live OneCare and the service did not pass their testing criteria,” a Microsoft spokesman said. “We are looking closely at the methodology and results of the test to ensure that Windows Live OneCare performs better in future tests. We will also determine whether any learnings from these tests can be used to improve our services as part of our ongoing work to continually enhance Windows Live OneCare to ensure …read more

I received an e-mail yesterday from the Microsot OneCare Beta team letting me know the beta program would be ending at the end of February and I would need to uninstall and purchase a full version of the software.
We wanted to give you advance notice that the (v1.5) beta will be coming to a close at the end of February, and that your OneCare beta service will expire by March 2007 (or sooner, depending when you installed the beta). After your service expires, you won’t receive new Virus and spyware definitions or other OneCare updates. To continue your OneCare protection, …read more

Even though Scoble says Vista isn’t read and who knows when it will ever be released, Microsoft is throwing down the proverbial gauntlet and asking the hacker community to give it their best shot.
BRILLIANT!
This is the kind of strategy that Microsoft should have pursued earlier in the game. My only fear is they may be biting off more than they can chew. What do you think? Has Microsoft sealed it’s fate, or are they lighting the match that could set the Phoenix ablaze to emerge again?
Microsoft Invites Hackers to Test Vista
Microsoft’s Progress on Windows Vista
Microsoft to Hackers: Try to Break …read more

I’ve written a number of articles on Microsoft’s OneCare service that’s been in development. I’ve been very pleased overall with the service and functionality. Plus, for me, having the software integrate so tightly with the existing OS, seems like a no brainer. My other complaint is that Symantec and McAfee’s applications seem to just hog WAY too many resources.
Windows Live OneCare, which will protect up to three computers for $49.95 per year, marks the latest step in Microsoft’s effort over the years to make its operating system less vulnerable to crippling Internet attacks.
Windows, which runs on the vast majority of …read more