Microsoft today revealed that it will discontinue sales of its PC security service, based on subscription and instead offer free security software so as to help users protect their computers from viruses, spyware and other nasties.

With the free offering, Microsoft poses a serious threat to McAfee and Symantec in the PC security market, reports Economic Times.

The company plans to stop offering its subscription based, Windows Live OneCare service on 30th June, 09, which is currently available at $49.95 a year and covers up to three PCs. The new free security shield, code-named Morro, will be available for download from the second half of next year.

However, Morro is designed to repel attacks only on PCs that are small and less powerful. The reason for designing it for less powerful machines is because the company wants to first create appeal to a wide group of consumers.

Microsoft’s competitor McAfee doesn’t see the move any threat, even in the near future. It said, Microsoft’s Onecare service managed to capture less than two percent of the security market, since its launch and the free security offering is a sign of surrender.

"Microsoft is giving up," a Mcafee spokesman said, "They are now defaulting to a dressed-down free model that doesn't meet consumer security needs." X