Microsoft is putting consumer antivirus makers on notice Tuesday, when it will release the beta of its Microsoft Security Essentials, a new anti-malware suite. Unlike its predecessor, Live OneCare suite, a subscription service which is being phased out, the new software will be offered for free to consumers.

Like traditional antivirus software, the new software detects changes to the file system resulting from operations such as copies, installs, or downloads. If the file signature matches a known threat, the operation is blocked and the user is warned.

The new service features dynamic communication with Microsoft's Dynamic Signature Service, which update the malware signature list regularly. It also request copies of code that it suspects may be a new piece of malware. Alan Packer, general manager of Microsoft's Anti-Malware team says the service publishes new signatures three times daily.

He describes, "The hope is that people who install Security Essentials and enable auto updates in their Windows configuration will be protected. We don't see Security Essentials as a direct competitor to other free products and suites. We're targeting people who aren't protected (already).

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