Microsoft releases Live OneCare 2.0 beta for Vista; better security options exist
Microsoft has its own all-in-one security suite that is available for both Windows Vista and XP. OneCare was last updated in January to version 1.5. OneCare 2.0 Beta is now available for free download from Windows Live Betas. Current users of OneCare will be updated to version 2.0 when it is released in its final version.
OneCare includes a firewall, virus and spyware protection as well as a system enhancement utility. It also has a built-in backup tool.
Windows Live OneCare costs $49.95 annually and protects up to three computers. Now, this may be a matter of personal preference but there is no way I would trust my computer with a security suite made by Microsoft. I tested OneCare when it first came out, when you could test it for free, I was unimpressed especially by the firewall, which left several ports open and a few were not stealthed.
For those of you looking to protection your home computers, I suggest PC tools firewall plus, AVG or Avast home edition and Spybot search and destroy for your antispyware which is in addition to Windows Defender. Note Windows Defender is optional for Windows XP SP2 users but is included with Windows Vista.
If you really do want that ease of use that an all-in-one suite can provide then go with something like Kaspersky Internet Security or even Norton 360.
This is a reminder to all Comcast High Speed subscribers that you can now download McAfee Internet Security for free directly from your Comcast account. Comcast users need not look anywhere else; also, the version of McAfee it provides is fully compatible with Windows Vista, as are all the other programs listed here.
It’s hard for me to even think of a good reason to install Live OneCare 2.0 beta, it’s free (for now) but so are the PC Tools firewall, AVG, Avast and Spybot. I can’t even think of a good reason to just try OneCare 2.0 beta because there are much better options that won’t have you scrambling to pay a subscription fee.
Most suites that require a subscription will run $30 to $50 per year.
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