Windows Live OneCare has been praised by many for being cheap ($50 for three licenses) and for being unobtrusive. The latter will quickly be ruined with prompts to install the full version when the trial expires (a 90-day download is available on the OneCare homepage). The security suite recently hit version 2.5 and select testers have received invites to a perpetual beta. Despite Microsoft's solid improvements in the area of security, both in Vista (the OS OEMs will most likely be offering) and Windows Live OneCare, tests have shown that the anti-malware program still lags behind some competing offerings.

Microsoft may think it needs to follow in its competitors' footsteps to make a mark, but this isn't a good move on the software giant's part. If anything, the company should work on improving detection rates, usability, and performance to the point where tech-savvy users start to take notice and begin to recommend the software.

Further reading:

• Microsoft: Press Release.

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