Has Microsoft finally figured out they’re losing traction in the developing world? It seems that they’re getting serious about protecting their OS against the big, mean world and no longer leaving the task to third-party players like AVG. They are introducing Morro to protect Windows against a wide variety of malware including viruses, spyware, etc. However, I am pretty sure you are SOL if you don’t pass the Windows Genuine Advantage screening which will be the case for most low cost PC’s in developing countries, i.e. their target audience. Ah, the irony of it all. Techradar has the story via Lifehacker:
Microsoft is getting serious about global security, offering a free anti-malware package code-named Morro that has been specially designed for low cost PCs in developing nations.
The software will be available in the second half of 2009 and will provide ‘comprehensive protection’ from ‘the majority of online threats’, including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans.
Amy Barzdukas, Senior Director at Microsoft, said: “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.”
