Microsoft Antivirus: Next Week?

16 May, 2005 at 11:37am ET Article published in Tech

Speculation among security industry sources suggests that Microsoft may be preparing to introduce its standalone antivirus software next week.

At least one security expert said that Microsoft is readying a shrink-wrapped antivirus package that it will offer through retail channels for “significantly less” than $25. Based on the level of sophistication of the product, or whether it includes tools for fighting different types of malicious programs–including spam and adware–the Microsoft offering could undercut pricing of similar products sold by security specialists such as Symantec and McAfee.

All together now… MONOPOLY!

Source: News.com

Comments

16 May 2005 ~ 1:18pm GnomeWizardd in all honesty if M$ releases it and its as good as thier anti spyware id use it. It definatly good since it could drive ridiculous prices or norton and mcafee down
16 May 2005 ~ 3:17pm Camman

Spinner wrote:

All together now... MONOPOLY!

Yeah you're totally right, it sucks that Microsoft will be able to offer an alternative to the price-gouging of Norton/Symantec and McAffee....AND Microsoft secret police will come to your home, hold you down, and force you to purchase and install their Anti-virus software, you HAVE to use it, it's a Monopoly, right?
16 May 2005 ~ 3:24pm Spinner

GnomeWizardd wrote:

in all honesty if M$ releases it and its as good as thier anti spyware id use it. It definatly good since it could drive ridiculous prices or norton and mcafee down

It would almost certainly be good for the consumer, at least in the short term, but not good for companies like Mcafee and Symantec.
16 May 2005 ~ 3:33pm Spinner

Camman wrote:

Yeah you're totally right, it sucks that Microsoft will be able to offer an alternative to the price-gouging of Norton/Symantec and McAffee....AND Microsoft secret police will come to your home, hold you down, and force you to purchase and install their Anti-virus software, you HAVE to use it, it's a Monopoly, right?

It was not my intention to insinuate that Microsoft's entry into the Antivirus market wouldn't, at least in the short-term, be a good thing.

But I'm trying to look at the big picture, Microsoft for the most part have the resources, and more importantly, the certification in people's minds, to succeed in whatever venture they feel like expanding into next. The Xbox? Microsoft AntiSpyware?

Now I like such products, and think they're great, but I dread the day when Microsoft has its hands firmly in every single corner of the I.T. product catalogue. That wouldn't be good in my opinion, at least not for other businesses. And it's healthy competition which drives innovation. A company that holds all the balls, won't be as desperate to drive forward the industry, as it would be if it didn't. If you understand the point I'm trying to make.
16 May 2005 ~ 4:48pm Camman I understand the point you're trying to make, now that you've properly explained it, but there's so many people shouting "Monopoly" whenever they hear of Microsoft doing anything new that it just gets old and tiresome to hear it.

I agree that one company that has its hand in everything isn't good, but I really doubt that large companies and even home users are immediately going to dump their AV solutions for the new Microsoft one. Norton AV has been the most dominant name for antivirus products for a very long time and I really doubt we'll see that change because Microsoft has entered the arena. As for MS Antispyware, well simply enough it's the best thats available. There are plenty of free tools out there for removing spyware but personally I use MS Antispyware because it beats all those freely developed non-commercial tools hands down. and it of course itself is free, if you own Windows XP.

I think these offerings are more about Microsoft trying to take some of the heat off them for having security issues in their operating system. The same people who yell "monopoly" are the ones who complain that Microsoft doesn't do enough to secure its own products. So when MS releases tools like antispyware to prove that they really do feel it's their obligation to keep products like their OS'es secure people again say 'oh it's microsoft buying up another company to destroy competition'. This falls under the category of a little saying that goes 'you're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't'
16 May 2005 ~ 9:18pm Spinner

Camman wrote:

I think these offerings are more about Microsoft trying to take some of the heat off them for having security issues in their operating system. The same people who yell "monopoly" are the ones who complain that Microsoft doesn't do enough to secure its own products. So when MS releases tools like antispyware to prove that they really do feel it's their obligation to keep products like their OS'es secure people again say 'oh it's microsoft buying up another company to destroy competition'. This falls under the category of a little saying that goes 'you're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't'

Yes, that's of course a very fair statement, and I agree.

The problem is though, regardless of Microsoft's intentions, in the case of Microsoft Antispyware for example, it does still have a negative impact on other companies offering Spyware removal tools, free or otherwise. Like you said it's a double edged sword, which unless wielded correctly, could have a very bad effect on the state of future business's, large and small, and on the element of competition that allows markets to flourish, for businesses and for consumers.

But only time will tell I suppose.

Cheers
16 May 2005 ~ 9:36pm Kwitko Am I the only one who think MS Anti-Spyware sucks?

In terms of monopoly, as long as MS doesn't bundle their AV with its OS, they'll be fine. It looks like they're not.

I do, however, think that MS has bought up many products either to take them off the market or turn them into pure poop (not on purpose, mind you). To wit, the Great Plains ERP system. They took a solid product and turned it into a big pile of streaming bull excrement.