Microsoft is finalizing its trial version of free anti-virus code-named Morro and will be released soon, however rival Symantec has expressed disproval over the company's move.

Morro will be Microsoft's second venture in the highly competitive security market. The company said it plans to discontinue its Live OneCare once the Morro software is ready.

Microsoft said Morro, which tackles viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans, will be made available on its website once the program is ready.

The software giant has not confirmed when Morro will be released, but in the past Microsoft has said it would be out by the end of 2009 at the latest.

Meanwhile, other anti-malware companies, like Symantec are not impressed with Microsoft's move.

Morro is essentially a stripped-down version of Microsoft's failed OneCare product. It didn't offer adequate protection when it was payware, and it offers even less as freeware, said Dave Cole, senior director of product management at Symantec, in an e-mail to InternetNews.com.

We're confident that our customers value the security technology behind the Norton brand they've come to rely on and that they'll continue to look to us to keep them protected from today's threats, he added.

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