If the Vista kernel fiasco somehow failed to convince you that Microsoft plans to go head to head with Symantec and McAfee then this should remove all doubt: Microsoft's own desktop security solution, Forefront, has been released as a public Beta and will likely ship in June 2007. The package integrates software from two security vendors that Microsoft recently acquired, antivirus company GeCAD Software Srl and antispyware vendor Giant Company Software. While we haven't heard much about a feature set, the software seems like it will offer similar functionality when compared with competing products--though Microsoft will likely use its financial muscle to offer Forefront for a fraction of the price of other solutions. More details on the software will likely emerge in the coming days but if you're the impatient type, feel free to download the Beta and tell me what you think.

For more on Forefront:
- see the ComputerWorld article
- or download the Beta and take it for a test drive