Microsoft Launches Security Service for Windows

By Niladri Sekhar Nath

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

Microsoft Corp.has introduced an automatic and self-updating PC care service to help consumers more easily protect and maintain their PCs. Windows Live OneCare is now available at Best Buy and more than a dozen other major retail chains nationwide. In addition, users can download Windows Live OneCare from http://onecare.live.com.

OneCare comes with useful features including “Protection Plus,” comprising of anti-virus and firewall protection features, as well as automatic updates, in addition to anti-spyware functionality to help protect the PC and the customer. “Performance Plus” offers regular PC tune ups to help maintain computer performance and reliability, while “Backup and Restore” facilitates easy-to-use backup and restores functionality for the customer’s important photos, music files and more.

The service also has “Help and Support,” which provides help through a variety of modes such as e-mail, phone and chat, with all service support coming from PC care experts at Microsoft (News - Alert) for no additional charge.



Windows Live OneCare is available for an annual subscription rate of $49.95 for up to three personal computers.

“Windows Live OneCare delivers what millions of consumers have been asking for: one source for top-to-bottom maintenance, support and performance optimization tools plus increased protection that takes the worry out of PC care,” said Bill Gates (News - Alert), chairman and chief software architect at Microsoft, in a statement. “This ‘just take care of it’ experience enables customers to focus on what they really care about, which is to be able to sit down at their PCs and enjoy their digital lifestyles.”

Windows Live OneCare aims to reduce the confusion and frustration that many consumers experience while protecting their computers from viruses, spyware and other threats. The service is capable of simplifying other necessary PC care practices such as backing up important data and regularly running performance maintenance tasks.

For more information, visit www.microsoft.com or http://onecare.live.com.

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Niladri Sekhar Nath is a contributing writer for TMCnet covering telecommunications, service providers and networking.