Microsoft offers free AV to small businesses

In a well-calculated but also very positive move, Microsoft has announced that – beginning in early October – it will be offering its Microsoft Security Essentials solution to small businesses that use up to 10 PCs – for free.

The solution was, until now, free only for individual consumers.

According to Eric Ligman, worldwide partner group experience lead at Microsoft, says that they are aware that small business are under incredible pressure to reduce operating costs, improve productivity and grow their business, and that most of them do not have a dedicated IT professional on staff.

“In many ways, Microsoft Security Essentials is an excellent solution for your small business. It is very easy to get and very simple to use. The software requires no registration, trials or renewals and is available for download directly from Microsoft,” he says, and adds that for those who are looking for a set it and forget it solution, this solution is better than Microsoft Forefront Client Security.