Microsoft Launches WindowsLive OneCare PC Care Solution for Home and Small Business Networks

There are four computers in my home. I have a business laptop for work. My wife has a laptop for school. We have one desktop that we keep general stuff on that runs as a server. And then there is the laptop my two-year old daughter has for her to tap on until she is old enough to play games on. In my home network, each computer has its own security and backup processes which makes securing the network a cumbersome activity. In fact, because of my lack of security attention I became a victim of identity theft and never would have known it unless Brian Krebs who works for the Washington Post had emailed me and told me he had met the hacker who tapped into my less than secure network.

Based on Microsoft's announcement on Wednesday they have heard my cries or pains as they have launched a new initiative under the OneCare application umbrella to offer network security for homes and small businesses. The goal of the OneCare application is to provide a comprehensive PC care solution. With Windows Live OneCare users will be able to update, backup, manage and secure computers across a secure network. Over the last two years, Microsoft has been beta-testing the WindowsLive OneCare application and I was an early adopter, downloading the program in its first three months of availability. Initially the application was for a standalone system. But with the launch of the broader application, the options for security and performance upgrades are enormous.

The two most strident benefits of using the OneCare solution have always been anti-virus and phishing capabilities. As opposed to having a Norton application for anti-virus protection and another solution for phishing OneCare offers a complete solution. And as someone who likes simplicity and continuity I much prefer using Microsoft's total package than the one offered by Norton or Symantec.