Microsoft vs security industry
p2p news / p2pnet: Is it Armageddon for online security firms? IT Wire believes so.
"The day of reckoning has arrived for Symantec, McAfee, Kapersky and the myriad of other would-be anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall and assorted anti-malware peddlers," it says. "Their one-time benefactor Microsoft, the company that enabled them to build thriving businesses by selling products to protect its less than perfect operating system Windows, has pulled the plug by releasing its own security package.
That’s because Microsoft, which seems to be issuing fixes for its many and various security problems with increasing rapidity, is selling its Windows Live OneCare security package, dressed up as a "PC care service," through more than a dozen major retail chains nationwide, as well as via direct download.
It wants $50 for an annual subscription rate for up to three PCs, "and many of the retailers plan to offer rebates and other types of in-store promotions," it points out.
Bill and the Boyz are splashing the OneCare logo prominently on the Best Buy-sponsored No. 66 stock car Jeff Green will drive this coming weekend and, Microsoft and Best Buy representatives will be on hand at the track, "celebrating the launch of Windows Live OneCare and the retail alliance," says Microsoft.
And just in case anyone misses the point, the PR glitz-blitz team also have Green saying, "My pit crew helps keep me safe and my No. 66 car performing at its best, so I can focus on racing to the checkered flag. Windows Live OneCare offers that same value ………."
Meanwhile, "With the release of Windows Live Onecare this month, Microsoft has now become the security companies’ biggest nightmare and implacable foe," says IT Wire.
The "competitively priced" Microsoft package, "competes head-to-head with the established security vendors, providing virtually identical functionality on the anti-malware and firewall fronts, it integrates automated PC tuneups, backups and provides free phone and online customer support".
Also See:
IT Wire – Microsoft brings on Armageddon for security vendors, May 31, 2006
Microsoft – Microsoft Offers All-in-One PC Care for Consumers With Windows Live OneCare, May 31, 2006
May 31st, 2006 at 8:11 pm
Personally I think I would rather stick with my [un-named to prevent being accused of advertising] third-party vendor. The service is less expensive.
While I am more than thankful to Mr. Gates for bringing some standardization to the world of small computers, he can’t do all the programming himself and the folks he has working for him who endlessly make the mistake of allowing buffers to overflow are unlikely to get security down that well. It would be like buying roll-over insurance for your Explorer from Ford.
Yahoo