Last year Microsoft announced that it would end support for Windows Live OneCare, and turn instead to develop a new, free security product, code named Morro.  We’ve heard that Morro has already been in limited alpha testing, that it’s based on the same security engine as Microsoft’s Forefront technology, and that most of the work for the new product is being handled by Microsoft in India.

Recently, we had a chance to see a survey conducted for Microsoft and sent out to consumers that sheds a little more light on what’s happening with Morro.  First, although this isn’t really news, a description of the product:

Microsoft is creating a new PC security product for consumers that will be available at no cost to licensed Windows users. This new product:

        * Provides high-quality protection against viruses, spyware and other malicious software;
        * Is fast and functional, providing continuous protection with minimal impact on system performance;
        * Is easy to download and install directly from Microsoft, with no subscriptions, renewals or credit cards required to keep your protection up-to-date.

After a few questions, the survey asks about possible names:

    Microsoft is considering the following names for this product:

    "Microsoft Security Essentials"

    "Microsoft Antivirus Plus"

    "Microsoft Personal Security"

    "Microsoft Security Fundamentals"

and then goes on to ask a number of questions about which name is best, etc.  We’re not sure we’d vote for any of them, they all sound pretty old school Microsoft naming (that is, boring and bad).  No hints in the survey about timing of the availability of “Morro”; the original press release stated that Morro would be “ available in the second half of 2009”: http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2008/nov08/11-18NoCostSecurityPR.mspx

We liked the name OneCare (and liked the product, and were sorry to see it terminated).  What do you think of these potential names for “Morro”?  What would you call a new no-cost consumer security product?

(LiveSide)