Microsoft’s new free anti-malware solution gets closer: a new name for Morro?

El Morro, in San Juan, Puerto Rico 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”

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?

Comments

  • JohnCz

    I think “Morro” and Live Family Safety should be renamed to OneCare.

    Since it’s free, I’d like to see this included in Windows Live Essentials.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/paperlock/default.aspx paperlock
  • http://www.liveside.net/members/heaphus/default.aspx heaphus

    I also liked OneCare just fine. I don’t know why they didn’t just make it free and call it a day. I also think JohnCz’s idea is a good one. However, if nothing else, brand it under the “Live” moniker – Windows Live Security, perhaps – and add it to Live Essentials. Any of the above would be a no-brainer for anyone other than Microsoft.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/Alex/default.aspx Alex

    If it’s going to be based on Forefront, why not put it under that moniker anyway? Give it a name such as Forefront Lite, or something… I like the Forefront-name.

  • http://gregsedwards.spaces.live.com gregsedwards

    I’m with heaphus…”Windows Live Security” or “Windows Live Safety” would be an excellent name, and it would tie nicely into the other WL Essentials. WL Family Safety should be rolled up into this suite, and the entire thing should become part of WL Essentials. No brainer.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/kskistad/default.aspx kskistad

    Microsoft Vanguard (a play on “Forefront”)

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/twiz/default.aspx twiz

    I had problems with OneCare on XP being a resource hog. Not so much on Vista though. Not sure what was done differently. Either way, it should definitely be a Live product.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/Khristopher/default.aspx Khristopher

    It should not be a part of Windows Live, just like OneCare shouldn’t have been.

    None of the names in the survey are good. They are definitely old school Microsoft sounding. Something more unique would be better.

  • JohnCz

    @khristopher, even if carries a unique name…do you think it should be part of Live Essentials?

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/Alber1690/default.aspx Alber1690

    I’m with heaphus too, why not just something simple under the Windows Live brand? It would make sense to include it in the installer as people downloading Windows Live Essentials for popular WL apps like Messenger or Mail have exposure to it and people who download “Morro” are exposed to the rest of the WL Essentials.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/CalumJR/default.aspx CalumJR

    I’m also starting to think they should include this with Windows Live Essentials and call it something like ‘Windows Live Computer Security’ or maybe ‘Windows Live OneCare’ ;)

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/pato_5F00_inbox/default.aspx pato_inbox

    I don’t agree with most of the comments here, it shouldn’t be part of Windows Live, as it doesn’t have anything to do with the services offered by that brand, unless you would be able to see the what’s new feed through morro :P which would not make any sense, at all.

    IMO all those names sound reaally lame. I don’t feel too comfortable about the Morro name either, I don’t think msft is aware of this but Morro is kind of a “slang” in latin america, mostly in Mexico. Down there in Mexico people call Morro (or morra, if its a girl) to young people o kids, they sometimes morro a person who is not old enough to do a certain task.

    they should keep calling it onecare, that one sounds nice, but without the windows live brand

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/Edgar-J_2E00_/default.aspx Edgar J.

    @pato_inbox, Do you know about Latinamerica? I’m from Puerto Rico, and Morro is called from Puerto Rico, it was builded by Spanish to protect Puerto Rico coast from enemies. So please read some history before saying things from Latin America.

    Windows Live Security sounds good.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/pato_5F00_inbox/default.aspx pato_inbox

    @Edgar J. : yeah I was actually born and raised in Mexico, lived there for about 18 years. I never said that was the definite meaning of Morro, in case you didnt read my comment, I only talked about how people use that word in my country.

    Didn’t mean to offend you or your country’s history though. I just think that as an important marketing practicce, every company must choose their product names carefully.

    just saying….

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/Edgar-J_2E00_/default.aspx Edgar J.

    @pato_inbox: I understand but the meaning of Microsoft is giving the one of P.R. (See the picture).

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/houndrnr/default.aspx houndrnr

    Hopefully this will be compatible with all Versions of Windows this time? And just possibly some ‘Live’ Support to go with it would be helpful!

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/lbastie/default.aspx lbastie

    Keep the name OneCare! That is a great brand.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/nobox/default.aspx nobox

    Hmmm maybe they can call it “Live Testudo”.

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/nobox/default.aspx nobox

    oops Maybe better not use ‘testudo’ since it also means slow. Maybe should use Live Aspis or Live Hoplon…

  • http://www.liveside.net/members/trendless/default.aspx trendless

    They should stick with a obscure/stylized name like Morro… using the words Antivirus or Personal or Malware or Security or Plus or anything of that generic ilk will confuse users who already suffer from a barrage of rogue antimalware infections like Personal Antivirus or Antivirus 2009 or the like.