Introducing Windows Live OneCare:
Windows Live OneCare (compare prices) is a new, subscription-based service provided by Microsoft to protect Windows computers. OneCare provides anti-virus protection, a two-way firewall, a back-up utility, and system tune-ups. It also integrates with Windows Update and Windows Defender, ensuring the computer always has the latest security updates from Microsoft and is protected against spyware and adware.
Windows Live OneCare (compare prices) is a new, subscription-based service provided by Microsoft to protect Windows computers. OneCare provides anti-virus protection, a two-way firewall, a back-up utility, and system tune-ups. It also integrates with Windows Update and Windows Defender, ensuring the computer always has the latest security updates from Microsoft and is protected against spyware and adware.
How It Differs from the Competition:
Microsoft estimates that 70% of Windows users don’t use anti-virus software, and only 1 in 10 effectively backup important files. The Windows Live OneCare team wrote that they developed it to provide a "just take care of it for me" experience. The automatic updates and PC tune-ups in OneCare set it apart from others, as no other service provides a single location for managing as many aspects of PC health as OneCare.
Microsoft estimates that 70% of Windows users don’t use anti-virus software, and only 1 in 10 effectively backup important files. The Windows Live OneCare team wrote that they developed it to provide a "just take care of it for me" experience. The automatic updates and PC tune-ups in OneCare set it apart from others, as no other service provides a single location for managing as many aspects of PC health as OneCare.
Anti-Virus Protection:
Windows Live OneCare offers certified protection against viruses and other forms of malicious code. It automatically updates itself when you connect to the Internet, so you'll always be protected from new viruses. It's certified by ICSA Labs and has achieved West Coast Lab’s Checkmark certification. The certifications are from independent, 3rd party organizations that tested Windows Live OneCare to ensure it provides quality protection against viruses and other forms of malware.
Windows Live OneCare offers certified protection against viruses and other forms of malicious code. It automatically updates itself when you connect to the Internet, so you'll always be protected from new viruses. It's certified by ICSA Labs and has achieved West Coast Lab’s Checkmark certification. The certifications are from independent, 3rd party organizations that tested Windows Live OneCare to ensure it provides quality protection against viruses and other forms of malware.
Anti-Spyware Protection:
OneCare uses Windows Defender to protect against spyware. Spyware is software that sends your personal information to its creators without your knowledge or permission. Spyware can slow down your computer and cause pop-ups to be displayed when you're browsing the Internet.
OneCare uses Windows Defender to protect against spyware. Spyware is software that sends your personal information to its creators without your knowledge or permission. Spyware can slow down your computer and cause pop-ups to be displayed when you're browsing the Internet.
Firewall Protection:
OneCare also includes a managed, two-way firewall. The firewall monitors both incoming and outgoing information. The incoming portion of the firewall in OneCare helps to ensure your computer is protected against hackers and malicious code you can come across while using the Internet. The outgoing part of the firewall in OneCare ensures that, if your computer is affected by malicious code, your personal information won't be sent to others.
OneCare also includes a managed, two-way firewall. The firewall monitors both incoming and outgoing information. The incoming portion of the firewall in OneCare helps to ensure your computer is protected against hackers and malicious code you can come across while using the Internet. The outgoing part of the firewall in OneCare ensures that, if your computer is affected by malicious code, your personal information won't be sent to others.
Performance Plus:
OneCare includes Performance Plus, a monthly "tune-up" service for your PC. Performance Plus automates the process of defragmenting your hard drive, freeing up disk space, scanning for viruses, and ensuring you have the latest updates from Microsoft. The automatic nature of the "tune-up" is part of the OneCare "just take care of it for me" experience.
OneCare includes Performance Plus, a monthly "tune-up" service for your PC. Performance Plus automates the process of defragmenting your hard drive, freeing up disk space, scanning for viruses, and ensuring you have the latest updates from Microsoft. The automatic nature of the "tune-up" is part of the OneCare "just take care of it for me" experience.
Backups and Restore:
Microsoft estimates that only 1 in 10 Windows users effectively backup their personal files. The backup and restore functions in OneCare aim to change that by simplifying the process. OneCare can backup to CD, DVD, or an external hard drive. Regardless of where you backup your files to, OneCare reminds you when you need to backup your files. If you backup your files to an external hard drive, it will backup your files automatically.
Microsoft estimates that only 1 in 10 Windows users effectively backup their personal files. The backup and restore functions in OneCare aim to change that by simplifying the process. OneCare can backup to CD, DVD, or an external hard drive. Regardless of where you backup your files to, OneCare reminds you when you need to backup your files. If you backup your files to an external hard drive, it will backup your files automatically.
Alternatives to OneCare:
There are several alternatives to the anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall protection in OneCare. The About Guide to Anti-Virus Software has a list of the Top 7 Windows Anti-Virus Software programs, many of which include a firewall and protection against spyware. None of the programs, however, provide the automatic performance "tune-up" and backups possible in OneCare.
There are several alternatives to the anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall protection in OneCare. The About Guide to Anti-Virus Software has a list of the Top 7 Windows Anti-Virus Software programs, many of which include a firewall and protection against spyware. None of the programs, however, provide the automatic performance "tune-up" and backups possible in OneCare.
Purchasing OneCare: OneCare is available for purchase at retail stores (compare prices), or you can download it online at WindowsLiveOneCare.com. A one year subscription to OneCare comes with new updates to the virus protection, free upgrades to new versions, and support by phone, email, or online chat.
OneCare Requirements: Windows Live OneCare is only available for Windows XP with Service Pack 2. In order for OneCare to protect against spyware, you must also install Windows Defender, a free program that monitors for spyware on Windows computers. When you install OneCare, it wil install Windows Defender automatically if you don't already have Defender.
If you want OneCare to backup your computer automatically, you'll also need an external hard drive.
If you want OneCare to backup your computer automatically, you'll also need an external hard drive.