SEATTLE — Microsoft said Tuesday it will acquire antivirus technology from a Romanian software company and develop its own antivirus product, stepping into a market it has long ceded to others specializing in software security.

Microsoft signed an agreement to buy the intellectual property and technology assets of antivirus software and consulting firm GeCAD Software of Bucharest for an undisclosed amount. Some of the company’s software developers will join Microsoft, but details haven’t been finalized, said Mike Nash, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s security business unit.

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