Microsoft to make free security software available

The product provides anti-spam protection as well as anti-virus capabilities and the firm hopes it will help protect computers running Windows to minimise the chance that they are compromised by criminal activities online.

Mac Brown, company spokesman, commented: "We see Microsoft Security Essentials as an evolution in our ongoing commitment to security and trustworthy computing that will offer broader protection for PC users around the world."

Microsoft Security Essentials is not to be bundled with new copies of Windows because the company does not want to be open to antitrust objections.

Despite this, it will be available to download for free and is likely to be competition for products already on the market from AVG Technologies and Panda Software.

Earlier this month, Microsoft announced that it was releasing a new upgrade tool that will analyse systems before checking what software updates are required.

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