If you have a personal computer with Microsoft’s Windows Operating System installed, then you have probably faced the most dreaded enemies in the world of computing, otherwise referred to as viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans.

For some advanced users who have the knowledge and ability to freely download every new paid-for antivirus online and find “cracks” and “hacks” for them to use them free of charge, the virus is not really a problem for them anymore.

But for new users and users that have no idea how to get these antivirus, and even if they do get them, lack the know-how to “crack” them, viruses can be a real nightmare. For those with deep pockets, it’s no big deal, because they can always pay the fee to get trained persons to deal with their computer virus.

Fortunately, Microsoft, the developer of the Windows Operating System, has the solution to this problem, with its free antivirus, code-named “Morro”. Its proper title is Microsoft Security Essentials, and apparently it's all the same underneath as the big products, but the good thing is, it’s free. It does all the stuff you would expect - antivirus, antispyware, scan-on-demand, plus real-time protection too.

The previous version, OneCare may have got off to a rather rocky start, but there's no doub that it ended up being a solid and reliable piece of antivirus software, despite all the tyre-kicking, wailing and generally unpleasant behaviour of various competitive firms.

I found out that OneCare was my product of choice when faced with an infected desktop PC - it always managed to clean up nasty infestations, browser takeovers and the like. Maybe others could do just as well, but OneCare worked for me.

I've yet to make the time to put “Morro” through its paces on a properly nasty infected “honey pot” machine, but I like what I see so far. If you want to get away from some of the more hysterical pay-for security software, then this will be worth a look.

Do I think Microsoft can do security software as well as anyone else? Yes, once it puts its mind to it, and “Morro” is a pretty good start.


Credit: Kwabena Offei-Nkrumah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana