Microsoft enters Anti-virus market

[Leurgy]

From CNN:

Microsoft Corp., whose popular Windows software is a frequent target for Internet viruses, is offering a free security program to remove the most dangerous infections from computers.

The program, with monthly updates, is a step toward plans by Microsoft to sell full-blown antivirus software later this year.

Microsoft said Thursday that consumers can download the new security program from the company's Web site www.microsoft.com and that updated versions will be offered automatically and free each month.

It will be available starting Tuesday.

Full article here.

[DuaneB]

Monthly updates?!?! I think I'll wait for the ".....full-blown antivirus software later this year."


"Microsoft said the virus-removal program will not prevent computer infections and was never intended to replace the need for traditional antivirus software, such as flagship products from McAfee Inc. or Symantec Corp."

[Sal_gal]

Hmm, I already have an AV, what makes this different than Avast and other AV?

[nganvu]

I have downloaded the beta version of MS antispyware. Pretty neat. I, kind of, like it very much.
This version will expire in 206 days. Well! what's next?

[jmtjet]

This version will expire in 206 days. Well! what's next?

Then you'll have the privilege of laying out the big bucks to "buy" it. Remember; Always trust Microsoft. Yeah right!

[nganvu]

Not a good deal.
I already uninstalled it.
I already have what I need for free

[Luv2Learn2]

Considering M$daft's record over the years regarding security of ANY kind, WHY would anyone EVER trust anything remotely related to security coming from them?

You've got business dropping their .net thing because they can't control that. You've got people dropping IE and using other products because they can't secure their browser. You've got people migrating to linex type OS's because windows can't be secured. Folks are using other email programs because the 'popular model' is an accident waiting to happen.

We must clutter our harddrives with all manner of anti spyware to secure our computers agains those who seek to clutter our harddrives with stuff we don't want. Well, I don't want all the junk i have to clutter my harddrive with to keep the other guys out either, and all because I use M$daft products.

I found the safest thing I can do for my pc is to stay totally away from ALLLLLL microsoft sites INCLUDING and especially their update sites. Best way in to a pc is thru that door when what you need to fix the broken os they sold you is downloaded. And sure enough...someone did it. Now, I get to open all kinds of doors just to let ms auto update, and then I have to run around behind it and close the doors again because it wants to keep a broad cast beacon going to announce it's presence to the whole world in the form of constantly seeking updates, and letting ms know you're on line.

Did you ever notice how you have to essentially take your security pants off to get their sites to even work on the pc? You have to undo active x (activate it that is) enable java, and make available all the tools hackers/crachers/spyware pushers like to use to infest your machine.

trust ms for security you say????? yup, right. That's why we get to spend HOURS downloading junk from the update site that gets cracked even before it's made available for public download. How many fixes have there been to SP2 already?

I really hate that this state of affairs even exists because once upon a time, i loved m$daft. I thought they had a very good product, and in some ways, they still do. There are things I really like about the os, but despite the pretty bells and whistles, there's an underlying stink that gets to one after a while. why does an os need to be as branded as this one is? I have to spend quite some time undoing what i can to get rid of any and all ms links and services that report to them. I resent that.

As soon as I install the operating system, I run adaware. The os is the ONLY program on the HD yet adaware pulls no less than 8 spyware entries from the os. It used to be 1 or 2. Now it's 8. And when I update adaware, i get to pull 2 more. And that's just from the os. It even hijacks your browser. I put a webpage into the home page area in tools, went on line and STLL ended up reporting into m$ despite the fact that I'd already activated the os.

The fact that it takes notes on all your equipment is supposed to prevent copyright theft? BS! The hackers/crackers all know how to bypass that!

Trust M$ for security? Whadda nutz? Be easier to just hand the world your drivers licence, social security card, and bank cards.

If I sound jaded, it's because once upon a time i actually trusted m$, but I learned the hard way. Lost trust is rarely ever recaptured. There is always that element of suspicion. Once burned shame on you, twice burned, shame on me.

Just plan on your pc being used as a zombie, realize that there is zero security for your wallet and your identy, and be prepared to act accordingly. Ie...don't shop on line...call the business, order, send a check. Wipe your harddrive every few months, put a clean clone back on. keep 2 harrdrives. keep good backups, and consider them contaminated. To heck with instant gratification. As long as we are all willing to risk our property to M$, and let them claim your harddware, you just have to realize realistically that there is NO such thing as security with them and there never will be.


l2l2