Wednesday, February 15, 2006

WSJ.com - Software Makers Launch Simpler Antivirus Services

"Keeping your computer in good health is about to get simpler.
Over the next year, a number of major software makers are rolling out new antivirus services that aim to 'automate' the way consumers protect and maintain their PCs -- bundling a number of different computer-protection programs into one product that updates itself frequently. The programs will stop viruses, prevent 'phishing' fraud, back up data, and check up on a PC's overall health. The new services are also altering the way users pay for keeping their antivirus protection up to date.
Microsoft Corp. last week detailed plans for Windows OneCare Live, taking a major step into the antivirus business. The new software and Internet service is designed to automatically monitor the health and performance of a PC over the Web, fixing problems when it finds them and regularly installing new software to fight threats. While most antivirus services sell software that comes with one year of updates and charge for new versions after that, Microsoft will charge an annual fee of $49.95 for OneCare."

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