Conclusions

For those interested in downloading the free beta, it is free although currently OneCare is only available through a closed beta program.  We found it to be relatively easy to uninstall OneCare if you decide you do not want it.  However, you probably will not want to use two security programs simultaneously, so if you already have security software you will want to uninstall it prior to installing OneCare.

It is also important to note that OneCare is a subscription service, similar to Norton AntiVirus.  Owners of OneCare will receive one year of updates standard; additional updates will require a renewal of this subscription.  Many users dislike the software-as-a-service business model as it prevents you from truly “owning” a copy of the software that will work well as long as you own it.

OneCare is a Subscription-based Product 

Oddly, OneCare did not detect or eliminate Spyware threats.  OneCare promises upon its release to be an integrated security solution, and anti-Spyware detection is a crucial aspect of this as spyware is probably the most common computer threat.  We are left a bit puzzled with this aspect of OneCare.  OneCare was, however, able to block all of the network traffic coming out of said spyware.

On the plus side of things, our first look has shown OneCare to be adept at handling viruses.  In addition, OneCare’s holistic approach to PC care is a model of ease-of-use and takes a lot of the tedium out of PC maintanence, particularly for the beginner and intermediate user.  We look forward to OneCare’s release in the first quarter of next year.