Microsoft's antivirus package makes a splash

Helped by low pricing, Microsoft’s Windows Live OneCare landed the No. 2 spot in sales at American stores in its debut month, according to The NPD Group.

The antivirus and PC care package nabbed 15.4 percent of security suite sales at retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon.com, according to NPD’s data. The average price was $29.67, well below Microsoft’s list price of $49.95. Online at Amazon.com, OneCare is available for only $19.99.

“Microsoft’s penetration pricing strategy is clearly working and they are capturing significant unit share,” NPD analyst Chris Swenson told CNET News.com. “I think many in the industry were surprised with how well Windows Live OneCare did in its first month on the market.”

OneCare hit U.S. store shelves in late May, three years after Microsoft announced its intent to move into the antivirus realm. The product combines antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall software with backup features and several tune-up tools for Windows PCs. Symantec and McAfee have both announced new products to rival OneCare.

Full story: CNET News.com