The upgrade is expected to improve on the first version, which did not stack up to rivals in antivirus protection…
In a bid to help consumers and small businesses stay better protected from viruses, malware and spyware, Microsoft has introduced beta 1 of Windows Live OneCare 2.0.
With Windows Live OneCare 2.0 — the software maker’s all-in-one toolset for PC security and maintenance, Microsoft aims to help consumers better manage their home environment.
Speaking about the latest version, Gina Narkunas, OneCare’s lead product manager, mentioned that it focuses on home networks. The OneCare upgrade offers several new options, such as multi-PC and home network management, and printer-sharing support for local networks.
As part of the software’s “tune-up process,” the OneCare beta looks at the configuration of a user’s system and either makes fixes on its own or makes recommendations.
For instance, the new multi-PC and home network management feature will help ease the management of multiple-PC environments by offering a single navigation bar for monitoring the security and maintenance of networked computers. It will also facilitate one-click actions to resolve issues among computers within a home PC network.
Apart from the above mentioned features, also new to 2.0 are the advanced printer-sharing setup and support that allows all users in the vicinity to use the same printer, monthly reports of key activities and recommended actions for PCs, and a boot-time optimizer to trim the time it takes to start up PCs.
Other new features include the ability to centrally configure and monitor backups for PCs covered under the same OneCare subscription, with the data from all the machines going to one location, and a photo backup service that will be tied to Windows Live Folders, Microsoft’s online backup technology that is also in beta, maintained Narkunas.
But all the same, the online photo backup would not be activated during the beta testing period. And in case there are any fees slated for the online storage, the amount has yet not been decided upon.
Finally, the upgrade offers Wi-Fi connection security to protect wireless data transfers.
While Microsoft is making a big push into PC security with OneCare, the first version did not stack up to rivals in antivirus protection, according to at least one independent study.
Andreas Clementi, who runs Innsbruck, Austria-based AV Comparatives, placed OneCare dead last when it came to tackling massive numbers of Trojans, viruses and worms. Microsoft’s software was beat by 16 other vendors, with Germany’s G Data Security Software coming out on top.
Microsoft first announced OneCare in 2005. It marked Microsoft’s first foray into desktop antivirus support, and more than caught the attention of computer and software security vendors Symantec and McAfee, who claimed they were not too worried about Microsoft’s move on their turf.
In March of this year, OneCare bombed out in a critical antivirus test. Microsoft has since rebounded with a re-certification of its antivirus capabilities from both West Coast Labs and ICSA Labs.
“Since Microsoft first launched Windows Live OneCare in 2006, millions of customers have signed on to the service,” the Microsoft spokesperson said. “Windows Live OneCare is currently #2 at retail and we have our sights set on #1.”
To beta-test OneCare 2.0 would not cost you a dime, but the full-service version will. Currently, Microsoft charges an annual fee of US$49.95 to install Windows Live OneCare on up to three computers. Prices for version 2.0 have not been released.
System requirements for OneCare beta are either Windows XP or Windows Vista operating systems. Users can sign up for the preview and download it at the Windows Live Betas site.
No info as to when OneCare 2.0 final will be released. However existing paying users will be updated to Version 2.0 when it is finished, Microsoft said.
According to the news release, this new version is capable of addressing the needs of small businesses that must protect and maintain a number of PCs.