Microsoft has announced it will make its Security Essentials anti-virus, anti-malware program available at no charge to businesses consisting of up to 10 users provided they are using legitimate copies of Windows. Expected to be available from October and may well coincide with the release of Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 with increased features.

Microsoft’s internal research indicates that while 80% of US PC owners say they have up-to-date antivirus protection, only 40% really do – the others are using software that is no longer fully functional as the original free trial or subscription has not been renewed, or are still using outdated versions.