RSSMicrosoft wants to play doctor with your home network
By Nate Mook | Published November 15, 2007, 3:16 PM
With the release of version 2.0, Windows Live OneCare is no longer just for one PC; Microsoft now wants to inoculate entire home networks with its computer care service.
When it launched OneCare in May 2006, Microsoft risked alienating its close security partners such as Symantec and McAfee by entering a market it previously avoided. Now, the Redmond company is upping the ante by going after families with multiple PCs in their homes.
Windows Live OneCare 2.0, which is sold as a retail package but branded like Microsoft's other online services, includes a new centralized interface for monitoring the security of all computers on a network, and running maintenance tasks without having to visit each PC manually.
A central focus of version 2.0 is automating tasks that most Windows users know they should do, but don't. A new firewall automatically adjusts its settings depending on the security of a wireless network, while an automated online photo backup feature stores digital pictures on Microsoft's Windows Live Folders site for an added cost.
"It's not a question of being lazy, but rather having the right tool for the job," remarked Windows Vista product manager Nick White. "A lot of these customers run PCs without basic anti-virus and anti-spyware protection, and even fewer perform performance-enhancing tasks such as disk defragmentation and regular system back-ups."
OneCare 2.0 can also perform PC maintenance, including clearing a jammed print job and listing what applications are causing a system to be slow to boot up. 64-bit compatibility has been added as well, along with tighter integration with Windows Vista.
Current Windows Live OneCare subscribers will receive the update free of charge, while new customers can sign up for $49.95 USD per year, which covers three computers. OneCare is available in 17 languages and a free 90-day trial can be downloaded from onecare.live.com.
I worked on a guys pc this past weekend who bought this garbage. it slowed his pc down so much it was unusable. granted he only had 512mb ram, but as soon as I got rid of it, everything was running great again. Wonder if it includes itself in that slow down list?
He's using Avast now. Running just like new.
Score: 0
|Actually second version is much improved and worse try at least. Of course its not as much strong as Kaspersky, Norton etc, but for basic user it should be enough (i doesnt mean you guys or some hardcore pornoserfers :)))))
Score: 0
|Unfortunately I had the 'pleasure' of using Onecare on first my main machine for a while and then another machine for about a year and a half...it has got to be THE worst AV/firewall - anything you can think of. Started out great at beta and you kind of gave it the shadow of the doubt, ya know? Ugh..not only does it miss obvious viruses and give false positives but the Firewall is a mess as well and can screw your network connection pretty nicely. 1.6 is a vast improvement, but it still falls FAR short of most of the other options (even the FREE ones) out there. There's absolutely no way anyone should have to shell out $50 for this crappy stuff for the year. I use Eset and that has me happy, absolutely no complaints with this product.
I always recommend that users check out AV Comparatives and Virus Bulletin when shopping around for AV products....it's pretty clear cut what products are actually worth the money. And it's evident that some of the free solutions are pretty potent as well.
Hopefully 2.0 is a ginormous improvement because only that will make the product worthwhile to say the least. Still, I'd advise the sensible ones to wait and check these sources regarding Onecare 2.0's performance. Why buy it if you could spend the money on a far superior product OR not pay and still get a superior product. Time will tell.
And to the wonderful individual referring to just about everyone 'else' as a moron as well as providing the dictionary meaning (how helpful, thanks!), you sir need some serious, serious help.
Score: 0
|At least you can give valid reasons for your assertion and can back it up with experience instead of just saying everything Microsoft is crap.
I hereby revoke your moronic membership.
Score: 0
|I'm going to exchange NOD32 for this garbage? Two chances, fat and slim.
Score: 0
|Hey, Moron, have you ever tried it?
Score: 0
|No need to. Perhaps you have read the reviews of M$ OneCare? Total crap. Does not detect viruses, spyware, etc... Rated worst by far.
Score: 0
|That's the problem with morons. They believe everything they hear as long as it fits what they want to believe. Actually trying something out to get your own experience is inconceivable.
Score: 0
|LOL. Buy more M$ software to secure your insecure M$ Operating System. And people continue to buy this crap!?!?!??
Oh well, no such worries on my Ubuntu and MacBook Pro.
Score: 0
|Hey, Moron 2, as if Ubuntu and Mac have no problems.
Score: 0
|Oh sure. you hear about viruses,etc... on Macs and Linux every day. LOL.
Score: 0
|that only mean that MAC and LINUX not that much popular as Windows :)))
Score: 0
|No secure OS in this world man. Not at ALL! Even in IBM AIX, BSD etc you can make mistake and all gone.... The weakest part always - user!
Score: 0
|Didn't say viruses, moron. I said problems. I use a Mac at work and it has crashed more often than my XP machine at home. As for Ubuntu, I prefer Suse as it sets itself up better than most. Do you actually think the average computer user could effectively work their way around Ubuntu? That's what makes moronic geeks worse than your everyday run of the mill moron. You have lost touch with reality.
Score: 0
|I've been using it since Jan. 2007, I like the software but I do wish I had more access to more options.
Score: 0
|lol....of course.....
I'll take care of my own network thank you......
Score: 0
|If only it would actually find a virus or 2 that's actually there....
Score: 0
|mo·ron [mawr-on]
–noun
1. a person who is notably stupid or lacking in good judgment.
Score: 0
|Resistance is futile. You will service us.... ;-)
Score: 0
|No, no, no! The right phrase would be: "All your PC are belong to us"
(I know, it's getting old .... but it's still kinda funny)
Score: 0
|mo·ron [mawr-on]
–noun
1. a person who is notably stupid or lacking in good judgment.
Score: 0
|How about some options to disable or customize tune-up Nick (or whoever's in charge)? we've only been screaming for them since the product's inception.
Score: 0
|