Microsoft has launched their new “Windows OneCare Live Security,” a combonation of antispyware and antivirus scanners, with plans for a much more complete “security warehouse” in the future.Microsoft is really pushing their Windows Live movement, is it simply an attempt to make Microsoft’s success independant of the actual Windows OS? Are they scared of losing their monopoly?Microsoft tells the community that OneCare Live is for the estimated 75% of consumers who don’t have antiviral software installed, or they do not keep it updated due to subscription costs, or inconvenience. .
The Problems With an MS Antivirus
A few weeks back there was a big news story floating around about Symantec and Microsoft getting in a legal war as the result of a Microsoft AntiVirus program.While the lawsuit sounded quite flaky at first glance, a second and third glance revealed more information resulting around the basis of the Microsoft AV.Instead of securing Windows against viruses, Microsoft is considering the reactive move of an antivirus program. If Microsoft were to charge for this antiviral program, would it be a conflict of interests?I mean, rather than working on the security aspect of Windows, there would be little motivation for them to secure against viruses: that would damage their antivirus sales. They could continue to code insecurely, even lighten up on their security audits, and watch the money roll in on MSAV.Would they do it? It’s not like they don’t have a record of doing dirty things in the past to increase their bottom line, right?The antivirus product could result in a huge part of their total profits, if Symantec is any example, so, it would be worth it for Microsoft to develop such a product: unless the legal issues fall through, but, it would definitely be another blow to the computing industry and another powerhouse in their monopoly .
.
