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Mike Nash, chief of Microsoft's security business unit, told reporters that Microsoft is developing software to protect personal computers running Windows against malicious software, the worms and viruses that in recent years have plagued users with data loss, shutdowns and disruptions in Web traffic.
I've been wondering what took them so long. Too big of a market not to tap into.
Full Story [story.news.yahoo.com]
The REASON people need third party software to protect against these kinds is often due to design flaws/bugs in Windows. Having the same company that caused the problem claiming to develop the cure just doesn't sit well with me. I don't think price would change my opinion much ... if it's a free program I wouldn't trust it. And if they charge for it, it's like a slap in the face to their customers - The problem happens by design, and they want us to pay them to fix it.
The advanced user, simply turns it off and replaces it either with a third party product or a hardware version.
XP SP2 also turns it on by default. The concern when this was launched was that it would be anticompetative. Having said that, the third party vendors (like Norton) still have a market.
I see it the same with a Microsoft Anti-Virus product. Something has to be better than nothing?
To me it would be logical to extend XP Firewall to provide basic virus scanning at the firewall. First line of defense and all.
It should be interesting to find out if Microsoft are going to release it for their older OS'
Doubt it. The official line will be something like "Only tested on Windows XP Home / Pro. No support for Windows 2000 Pro or Server".
As is, MS is looking for a compelling reason to upgrade people to XP.
For the home user they get bundled virus protection.
For the enterprise, where most run a dual vendor policy for virus protection (one on the desktop and a different vendor on the server), it may be compelling enough to get them to upgrade to XP because it will remove the virus licensing costs.
This used to be my core focus. I used to work for MS and then a MS partner, in the licensing compliance area.
I've been wondering what took them so long. Too big of a market not to tap into.
Bit like search?
Does anyone actually believe MS press announcements anymore?
I can't remember the last time they announced a product and actually had a product!
TJ
I can't remember the last time they announced a product and actually had a product!
How else would their stock price stay so high during development periods? Heh. If you'll notice with most companies when they are in the development process their stock will dip a little bit. But not Microsoft. Why? Because when they announce an upcoming product more shares are sold and that gives them "free development money". Not that they need the cash, but as a public company they need to continue to profit to keep their shareholders happy.
Usually when they say "We're coming out with X" it's just an idea on a drawing board. Ultimately that's why it was damn near 1996, 1999, and 2001 when Windows 95, 98, and 2000 hit the shelves.
"Don't confuse sales with delivery".
It is important for any tech company that is public and as high profile as MS to keep the announcements coming.
