Good news Windows users!  As Microsoft begins to quietly realize that Apple, Google, Linux, Mozilla and others are seriously eating in to their bottom line and gaining strong support from those using the alternatives, the Redmond company has been taking a look around its facilities to find ways they can come across as a company that cares about the freedom and ease of use of its patrons.

The newest "see, we care" offering is a end to the subscription based Windows Live OneCare.  As of the second half of 2009, Windows will come with protection against viruses, spyware, rootkits and Trojans for free, nada, zelch, bumpkiss.

As part of its commitment to provide users with a trustworthy computing experience, Microsoft has announced plans to offer a new, core security solution for consumers. Available at no additional cost,this new solution will focus on delivering easy-to-use protection from threats that can place personal information at risk and harm system performance.

This new anti-malware offering, scheduled to be released in the second half of 2009, will provide protection from a variety of threats – including viruses, spyware, rootkits and Trojans – and is specifically designed to address the demands of smaller PC form factors and the rapid increases in the incidence of global malware. This solution will be suitable for customers in emerging markets where infection rates tend to be higher, and where demand for entry-level PCs makes it even more important that protection be available that does not sacrifice system performance.

As part of the effort to protect the broadest possible range of consumers, Microsoft has also announced it will phase out sales of its Windows Live OneCare subscription offering in order to focus on removing hardware and cost barriers that can limit access to core malware protection.

ZDNet

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