As we continue to evolve security and privacy at Microsoft, we are doing more than securing our own products and refining our own processes – we are continually responding to the growing and changing threat landscape.  Despite the proliferation and increasing impact of threats in the environment, many consumers and small businesses, both in mature and emerging markets remain unprotected. There are several reasons for this: 

• Performance Concerns:  Customers worry that antimalware software can impact the performance of their machines and degrade their computing experience.
• Customer Confusion: Many customers are confused by trials and annual subscription renewals, in many cases believing their PCs are covered when in fact their subscriptions have expired and they are at risk.
• Payment Method Barriers: Traditional online subscription and payment models do not work in emerging markets where customer and small business credit is not always readily available.
• Cost: Many consumers and an increasing number of small businesses are either unwilling or unable to pay the ongoing subscription costs for the security suite solutions that come on their PCs.

It is for these reasons that we are announcing that in early October Microsoft will make Microsoft Security Essentials available to small businesses for download and installation on up to 10 PCs. This new availability will allow small businesses to take advantage of Microsoft’s no-cost antimalware service that will help them save time, save money and remain productive while protecting them from viruses, spyware and other malicious threats. With Microsoft Security Essentials, small businesses with less than 10 PCs can feel safe knowing they are using an industry certified antimalware that utilizes the same core malware protection engine that drives Microsoft’s enterprise solutions solution and is backed by Microsoft’s leading Security Response resources.

For more information on the news, check out the Microsoft SMB Community blog and the feature story on Microsoft.com