Microsoft Corp. launched an international version of its free Web-based PC security and tune-up application on Monday and promised worldwide beta versions of Windows Live OneCare, the company"s new consumer security product. The security and tune-up application, called Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner, runs from a Microsoft Web site at https://safety.live.com/. It doesn"t have to be installed onto a PC.
The scanner removes viruses and other malicious software and can perform basic maintenance, such as defragmenting the hard disk, so programs run faster. Microsoft rolled out its OneCare consumer security product in May, its first major move into the computer security area.
Microsoft said international beta versions of OneCare will be available by the end of the year in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K.