Windows Live OneCare

Last updated

Windows Live OneCare
Developer(s) Microsoft
Final release
2.5.2900.30 / 6 March 2010 (2010-03-06)
Operating system Windows XP, Windows Vista
Platform IA-32 and x86-64
Type
License Trialware
Website Archived official website at the Wayback Machine (archive index)

Windows Live OneCare (previously Windows OneCare Live, codenamed A1) was a computer security and performance enhancement service developed by Microsoft for Windows. A core technology of OneCare was the multi-platform RAV (Reliable Anti-virus), [1] which Microsoft purchased from GeCAD Software Srl in 2003, [2] but subsequently discontinued. [3] The software was available as an annual paid subscription, which could be used on up to three computers.

Contents

On 18 November 2008, Microsoft announced that Windows Live OneCare would be discontinued on 30 June 2009 and will instead be offering users a new free anti-malware suite called Microsoft Security Essentials to be available before then. However, virus definitions and support for OneCare would continue until a subscription expires. [4] In the end-of-life announcement, Microsoft noted that Windows Live OneCare would not be upgraded to work with Windows 7 and would also not work in Windows XP Mode. [5]

History

Windows Live OneCare entered a beta state in the summer of 2005. The managed beta program was launched before the public beta, and was located on BetaPlace, Microsoft's former beta delivery system. On 31 May 2006, Windows Live OneCare made its official debut in retail stores in the United States. [6]

The beta version of Windows Live OneCare 1.5 was released in early October 2006 by Microsoft. Version 1.5 was released to manufacturing on 3 January 2007 and was made available to the public on 30 January 2007. On 4 July 2007, beta testing started for version 2.0, and the final version was released on 16 November 2007.

Microsoft acquired Komoku on 20 March 2008 and merged its computer security software into Windows Live OneCare. [7]

Windows Live OneCare 2.5 (build 2.5.2900.28) final was released on 3 July 2008. On the same day, Microsoft also released Windows Live OneCare for Server 2.5.

Features

Windows Live OneCare features integrated anti-virus, personal firewall, and backup utilities, and a tune-up utility with the integrated functionality of Windows Defender for malware protection. A future addition of a registry cleaner was considered [8] but not added because "there are not significant customer advantages to this functionality". [9] Version 2 added features such as multi-PC and home network management, printer sharing support, start-time optimizer, proactive fixes and recommendations, monthly reports, centralized backup, and online photo backup. [10]

Windows Live OneCare is built for ease-of-use and is designed for home users. OneCare also attempts a very minimal interface to lessen user confusion and resource use.[ citation needed ] It adds an icon to the notification area that tells the user at a glance the status of the system's health by using three alert colors: green (good), yellow (fair), and red (at risk). [11]

Compatibility

Version 1.5 of OneCare is only compatible with the 32 bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. [12] Version 2 of OneCare supports 64 bit compatibility to Vista. In version 2.5, Microsoft released Windows Live OneCare for Server which supports Windows Server 2008 Standard 64-bit and Windows Small Business Server 2008 Standard and Premium editions. No edition of OneCare operates in safe mode. Windows Live OneCare does not support Windows 7 or later as its development was discontinued and was replaced by Microsoft Security Essentials.

Activation

Windows Live OneCare required users to activate the product if they wish to continue using it after the free trial period (90 days) through a valid Windows Live ID. When the product is activated, the grey message bar at the top of the program disappears. The subscription remains active for 1 year from the date of activation. Windows Live OneCare did not require the operating system to be checked with Windows Genuine Advantage.

Protection

Windows Live OneCare Protection Plus was the security component in the OneCare suite. It consists of three parts:

Windows Live OneCare 1.5 onwards also monitored Internet Explorer 7 and 8 security settings and ensures that the automatic website checking feature of the Phishing Filter is enabled.

Performance

Winloc tuneup.png

Windows Live OneCare Performance Plus is the component that performs monthly PC tune-up related tasks, such as:

Backup

Windows Live OneCare Backup and Restore is the component that aids in backing up important files. Files can be backed up to various recordable media, such as external hard disks, CDs, and DVDs. When restoring files, the entirety or a subset of them can also be restored to a networked computer, as long as it's running OneCare as well. The Backup and Restore component supports backup software features such as incremental backups and scheduling.

Criticism

Windows Live OneCare tied for the fewest false positives. Anti-Virus Comarative No. 19 (August 2008) - False Positives.png
Windows Live OneCare tied for the fewest false positives.

Windows Live OneCare has been criticized from both users and competing security software companies.

Microsoft's acquisition of GeCAD RAV, a core technology of OneCare, and their subsequent discontinuation of that product, deprived the Linux platform (and others) of one of its leading virus scanning tools for e-mail servers, bringing Microsoft's ultimate intentions into question. [3]

On 26 January 2006, Windows Live OneCare was criticized by Foundstone (a division of the competing McAfee anti-virus) for the integrated firewall having default white lists which allow Java applications and digitally signed software to bypass user warnings, since neither of those applications carry assurances that they will not have security flaws or be written with a malicious intent. [13] Microsoft has since responded to the criticism, justifying their decision in that Java applications are "widely used by third party applications, and is a popular and trusted program among our users", and that "it is highly unusual for malware to be signed." [14]

Windows Live OneCare has also been criticized for the lack of adherence to industry firewall standards concerning intrusion detection. Tests conducted by Agnitum (the developers of Outpost Firewall) have shown OneCare failing to detect trojans and malware which hijack applications already resident on an infected machine. [15]

In February 2007, the first Windows Vista anti-virus product testing by Virus Bulletin magazine (a sister company of Sophos, the developers of Sophos Anti-Virus) found that Windows Live OneCare failed to detect 18.6% of viruses. Fifteen anti-virus products were tested. [16] [17] To pass the Virus Bulletin's VB100 test, an anti-virus product has to detect 100% of the viruses.

AV-Comparatives also released results that placed Windows Live OneCare last in its testing of seventeen anti-virus products. [18] [19] In response, Jimmy Kuo of the Microsoft Security Research and Response (MSRR) team pledged to add "truly important" ("actively being spread") malware as soon as possible, while "[test detection] numbers will get better and better" for other malware "until they are on par with the other majors in this arena." He also expressed confidence in these improvements: "Soon after, [other majors] will need to catch up to us!" [20]

As of April 2008, Windows Live OneCare has passed the VB100 test under Windows Vista SP1 Business Edition. [21] As of August 2008, Windows Live OneCare placed 14th out of 16 anti-virus products in on-demand virus detection rates. On the other hand, as of May 2009, Windows Live OneCare placed 2nd in a proactive/retrospective performance test conducted by AV-Comparatives. [22] AV-Comparatives.org, the test issuer, denotes that it had "very few false alarms, which is a very good achievement." The publisher also points out that false positives can cause as much harm as genuine infections, and furthermore, anti-virus scanners prone to false alarms essentially achieve higher detection scores. [23]

Community Revival

After Windows Live OneCare was discontinued, end-users of the product could no longer install Windows Live OneCare due to the installer checking Microsoft OneCare's site for updates. This resulted in the installation giving an error message 'Network problems are preventing Windows Live OneCare Installation from continuing at this time'.

A user named 'Cobs Server Closet' successfully recreated a functioning version of the installer, allowing end-users owning existing installation media to reinstall the software. This project is named 'OneCare Rewritten'. [24]

While the OneCare Rewritten software did allow successful installation of OneCare, many of the notable features such as OneCare Circles and built-in Backup feature remain non-functional as a result of being dependent on Microsoft Windows Live OneCare servers. [25]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antivirus software</span> Computer software to defend against malicious computer viruses

Antivirus software, also known as anti-malware, is a computer program used to prevent, detect, and remove malware.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ClamAV</span> Open-source antivirus software

ClamAV (antivirus) is a free software, cross-platform antimalware toolkit able to detect many types of malware, including viruses. It was developed for Unix and has third party versions available for AIX, BSD, HP-UX, Linux, macOS, OpenVMS, OSF (Tru64), Solaris and Haiku. As of version 0.97.5, ClamAV builds and runs on Microsoft Windows. Both ClamAV and its updates are made available free of charge. One of its main uses is on mail servers as a server-side email virus scanner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ESET NOD32</span> Computer protection software

ESET NOD32 Antivirus, commonly known as NOD32, is an antivirus software package made by the Slovak company ESET. ESET NOD32 Antivirus is sold in two editions, Home Edition and Business Edition. The Business Edition packages add ESET Remote Administrator allowing for server deployment and management, mirroring of threat signature database updates and the ability to install on Microsoft Windows Server operating systems.

Norton AntiVirus is an anti-virus or anti-malware software product founded by Peter Norton, developed and distributed by Symantec since 1990 as part of its Norton family of computer security products. It uses signatures and heuristics to identify viruses. Other features included in it are e-mail spam filtering and phishing protection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microsoft Defender Antivirus</span> Anti-malware software

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is an antivirus software component of Microsoft Windows. It was first released as a downloadable free anti-spyware program for Windows XP and was shipped with Windows Vista and Windows 7. It has evolved into a full antivirus program, replacing Microsoft Security Essentials in Windows 8 or later versions.

Norton Internet Security, developed by Symantec Corporation, is a discontinued computer program that provides malware protection and removal during a subscription period. It uses signatures and heuristics to identify viruses. Other features include a personal firewall, email spam filtering, and phishing protection. With the release of the 2015 line in summer 2014, Symantec officially retired Norton Internet Security after 14 years as the chief Norton product. It was superseded by Norton Security, a rechristened adaptation of the Norton 360 security suite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Security and Maintenance</span> Microsoft Windows software

Security and Maintenance is a component of the Windows NT family of operating systems that monitors the security and maintenance status of the computer. Its monitoring criteria includes optimal operation of antivirus software, personal firewall, as well as the working status of Backup and Restore, Network Access Protection (NAP), User Account Control (UAC), Windows Error Reporting (WER), and Windows Update. It notifies the user of any problem with the monitored criteria, such as when an antivirus program is not up-to-date or is offline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaspersky Anti-Virus</span> Antivirus solution

Kaspersky Anti-Virus is a proprietary antivirus program developed by Kaspersky Lab. It is designed to protect users from malware and is primarily designed for computers running Microsoft Windows and macOS, although a version for Linux is available for business consumers.

Webroot Inc. is an American privately-held cybersecurity software company that provides Internet security for consumers and businesses. The company was founded in Boulder, Colorado, US, and is now headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, and has US operations in San Mateo and San Diego, and globally in Australia, Austria, Ireland, Japan and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PC Tools (company)</span> Australian software company

PC Tools, formerly known as WinGuides.com, was a software company acquired by Symantec in 2008; the new owner eventually discontinued the PC Tools name. Company headquarters were in Australia, with offices in Luxembourg, the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland and Ukraine. The company had previously developed and distributed security and optimization software for the Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows platforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaspersky Internet Security</span> Internet security suite developed by Kaspersky Lab

Kaspersky Internet Security was an internet security suite developed by Kaspersky Lab compatible with Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Kaspersky Internet Security offers protection from malware, as well as email spam, phishing and hacking attempts, and data leaks. Kaspersky Lab Diagnostics results are distributed to relevant developers through the MIT License.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microsoft Security Essentials</span> Discontinued antivirus product for Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is an antivirus software (AV) product that provides protection against different types of malicious software, such as computer viruses, spyware, rootkits, and Trojan horses. Prior to version 4.5, MSE ran on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, but not on Windows 8 and later versions, which have built-in AV components known as Windows Defender. MSE 4.5 and later versions do not run on Windows XP. The license agreement allows home users and small businesses to install and use the product free of charge. It replaces Windows Live OneCare, a discontinued commercial subscription-based AV service, and the free Windows Defender, which only protected users from spyware until Windows 8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comodo Internet Security</span> Internet security software suite

Comodo Internet Security (CIS) is developed and distributed by Comodo Group, a freemium Internet security suite that includes an antivirus program, personal firewall, sandbox, host-based intrusion prevention system (HIPS) and website filtering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaspersky Lab</span> Russian multinational cybersecurity and anti-virus provider

Kaspersky Lab is a Russian multinational cybersecurity and anti-virus provider headquartered in Moscow, Russia, and operated by a holding company in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1997 by Eugene Kaspersky, Natalya Kaspersky and Alexey De-Monderik. Kaspersky Lab develops and sells antivirus, internet security, password management, endpoint security, and other cybersecurity products and services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trend Micro Internet Security</span>

Trend Micro Internet Security is an antivirus and online security program developed by Trend Micro for the consumer market. According to NSS Lab comparative analysis of software products for this market in 2014, Trend Micro Internet Security was fastest in responding to new internet threats.

Avira Operations GmbH & Co. KG is a German multinational computer security software company mainly known for its Avira Free Security antivirus software. Although founded in 2006, the Avira antivirus application has been under active development since 1986 through its predecessor company H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH. Since 2021, Avira has been owned by American software company NortonLifeLock, which also operates Norton, Avast and AVG. It was previously owned by investment firm Investcorp.

AV-TEST is an independent organization which evaluates and rates antivirus and security suite software for Microsoft Windows, MacOS and Android operating systems, according to a variety of criteria. The organisation is based in Magdeburg, Germany.

PCKeeper

PCKeeper is advertised as an optimization services package featuring a set of software utilities for Windows OS owned by Essentware S.A.. It includes 2 separate products for Windows: PCKeeper Live and PCKeeper Antivirus.

Norton 360 was an "all-in-one" security suite for the consumer market developed by Symantec. Originally released in 2006, it was discontinued in 2014; its features were carried over to its successor, Norton Security. However, in 2019, Symantec released a "NEW Norton 360", as a product replacement for Norton Security.

References

  1. ↑ Espiner, Tom (16 March 2007). "Microsoft: OneCare should not have been rolled out". ZDNet . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 19 March 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  2. ↑ "Microsoft to Acquire Antivirus Technology From GeCAD Software". News Center. Microsoft. 3 June 2003. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  3. 1 2 Roberts, Paul; Evers, Joris (11 June 2003). "Microsoft to kill popular Linux antivirus product". InfoWorld . IDG . Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  4. ↑ "Microsoft Announces Plans for No-Cost Consumer Security Offering". News Center. Microsoft. 18 November 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  5. ↑ "Windows Live OneCare End of Sale Guidance Page". Windows Live . Microsoft. Archived from the original on 10 July 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  6. ↑ Evers, Joris (31 May 2006). "Microsoft security product makes official debut". CNET . CBS Interactive . Retrieved 16 December 2006.
  7. ↑ "Microsoft acquires Komoku". Anti-Malware Engineering Team. Microsoft. 20 March 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2009.
  8. ↑ Yoav (27 March 2006). "Counting down to shipping OneCare". Windows Live OneCare Team Blog. Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2006.
  9. ↑ "OneCare Beta (2.0) Chat #1". 26 July 2007. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
  10. ↑ "Download the OneCare Beta (v2.0) and let us know what you think!". Windows Live OneCare Team Blog. 11 July 2007. Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
  11. ↑ "Windows Live OneCare — Getting Started". Windows Live . Microsoft. Archived from the original on 6 February 2007. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
  12. ↑ Galli, Peter (23 January 2007). "Security - Next Release of OneCare Won't Support Vista x64". Microsoft Watch. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  13. ↑ Grimes, Roger (29 January 2006). "Microsoft's OneCare Has Holes". Security Adviser. Archived from the original on 3 February 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2006.
  14. ↑ "Firewall and Windows OneCare – a multi-layered defense". Windows Live OneCare Team Blog. 31 January 2006. Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2006.
  15. ↑ "OneCare Firewall: a light-weight approach to a heavy-duty problem". Agnitum. Archived from the original on 17 October 2006. Retrieved 28 January 2007.
  16. ↑ "Virus Bulletin : Independent Malware Advice. Windows Vista — February 2007". Virus Bulletin. Archived from the original on 13 March 2008. Retrieved 27 February 2007.
  17. ↑ Thurston, Richard (6 February 2007). "Microsoft's own antivirus fails to secure Vista". CNET . CBS Interactive . Retrieved 7 February 2007.
  18. ↑ "Anti-Virus comparative February 2007". AV-Comparatives.org. Retrieved 11 March 2007.
  19. ↑ Keizer, Gregg (1 March 2007). "Microsoft's OneCare takes last place in anti-virus evaluation". Computerworld . CBS Interactive . Retrieved 11 March 2007.
  20. ↑ Kuo, Jimmy (15 March 2007). "Hello World". Anti-Malware Engineering Team. Microsoft . Retrieved 18 March 2007.
  21. ↑ "VB100 results summary". Virus Bulletin. Archived from the original on 13 March 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2008.
  22. ↑ "AV-Comparatives Anti-Virus Proactive/Retrospective Test" (PDF). AV-Comparatives. May 2009. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  23. ↑ "Anti-Virus Comparative August 2008" (PDF). AV-comparatives.org. AV-Comparatives. August 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
  24. ↑ "OneCare ReWritten Blog Post on cloud Lillith platform" . Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  25. ↑ "OneCare Rewritten Project Status" . Retrieved 2 May 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.