Chinese search giant Baidu launches free English-language AV software

Chinese search giant Baidu has launched a free English language AV product for Windows.

The Baidu Antivirus 2013 software offers a mix of local and cloud signature-based detection. 

The software relies on the Baidu Engine, the Baidu Cloud Security Engine and the Avira Antivirus engine for its detection.

Features include the ability to quarantine infected files, automatic updates, a host intrusion protection system and scan reports.

The client has a small footprint according to Baidu, with an install size of 11MB and a memory footprint of 10MB.

By entering the security field, Baidu will be able to challenge the Chinese security software company Qihoo, which has hundreds of millions of users of its local and web browser security software, an analyst at iResearch told ZDNet Asia earlier this year.