Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - Why doesn't Microsoft make anti-virus software?

- Tilted Technology (https://thetfp.com/tfp/tilted-technology/)

- - Why doesn't Microsoft make anti-virus software? (https://thetfp.com/tfp/tilted-technology/86803-why-doesnt-microsoft-make-anti-virus-software.html)

Why doesn't Microsoft make anti-virus software?

The thread about the SP2 deadline got me thinking. Why doesn't Microsoft make their own anti-virus software? It could be incorporated into Windows in ways that other software couldn't, and there would be millions of people out there who trust Microsoft and believe they make the best software. Many more people use MS Office rather than Open Office, because of the brand name.

I'm not one of those 'omg M$ is evil' idiots. If Microsoft made their own anti-virus software I would be very tempted.

2 (1?)
Anti-trust

Actually I could see them selling an anti-virus software package. I mean why bother fixing your holes when you can make money off them?

They don't need to make their own AV software. They just bought an AV company so they can start distributing that under the MS name space.

But like RageAngel said, including it with the OS would get them in more trouble with the Anti-trust lawsuits.

Probably because it would suck...

MS has already purchased an AV company. Expect something eventually, I say. They can't really win. If they incorporate anti-virus into Windows by default, Norton and others will get mad at them, and lots of people will be screaming anti-trust again. If they sell the AV on the side, then others may argue about a conflict of interest between exploits and plugging them (see RAGE's answer above).

The only other options I can see are to try and eradicate as many holes as possible so that viruses that exploit holes become harmless, or push something like Trusted Computing?

By the way, MS has a defrag program. It's not very good. MS has a browser, it's not very good either. Office is nice, Works is not so nice. With MS it's really anyone's guess if their AV would be any good.

It wouldn't surprise me if MS is affiliated with say, Symantec, McAfee, etc. More money for everyone but bigger piece of pie to MS.

Bundling AV software would raise SERIOUS anti-trust concerns. As for them making it in the first place, so long as it's available for free download I see nothing wrong with it. If it's something that needs to be bought, I would be pretty wary. There would certainly be a conflict of interest, but I don't think it would be a serious one. More importantly, AV software as a source of revenue alows them to rely on that rather than making the OS better and more secure in the first place.

As said above, Microsoft has purchased an antivirus firm, named Sybari.
http://sybari.com/DesktopModules/Pre...=386&mid=10409

Quote:

REDMOND, Wash. — Feb. 8, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has signed definitive agreements to acquire Sybari Software Inc., a leading provider of security products that help more than 10,000 businesses worldwide protect their messaging and collaboration servers from viruses, worms and spam. Microsoft will use this acquisition to further provide its enterprise customers with new solutions to help protect them from malicious software.

“Enterprise customers face a complex set of attacks through their e-mail and collaboration infrastructure,” said Mike Nash, corporate vice president of the Security Business and Technology Unit at Microsoft. “Through this acquisition, we’re excited to be able to provide customers with a server-level anti-virus solution that delivers advanced file and content-filtering capabilities and the use of multiple scan engines. In this way, customers get choice, high-quality performance and the most up-to-date protection possible.”

The planned acquisition of Sybari Software will play a key part in Microsoft’s enterprise security strategy, providing anti-virus technologies that shield communications servers and supply customers with multiple-engine protection that can help with increased detection rates of malicious software. In a recent ICSA Labs survey, e-mail attachments were cited as the means of infection in 88 percent of virus incidents in corporate environments, a clear indication that further innovation is required.

“We’ve been able to provide sophisticated, comprehensive protection for millions of mailboxes worldwide, and we’re excited that through the addition of Microsoft’s expertise and contribution, these solutions will be available to even more businesses,” said Robert Wallace, president and CEO of Sybari Software. “We’re proud of the effectiveness of our antigen products in providing protection against malicious software.”

Sybari Software’s products provide an additional layer of messaging defense, helping stop threats before they reach end users. Sybari Software’s security solutions are deeply embedded within the server infrastructure they protect, providing a consistently high level of security while maintaining infrastructure reliability and performance.

In addition, Microsoft’s enterprise customers will see greater value from their security investments because a single Sybari Software product will work with multiple versions of Microsoft® Exchange and Lotus Notes. Therefore, when migrating from one version to the next, or deploying multiple versions long term, a company can see a lower cost of maintenance and support for the comprehensive protections that Sybari Software’s technology can provide. Sybari also provides solutions for Microsoft Office SharePoint® Portal Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows® SharePoint Services.

Microsoft’s goal for helping to secure collaborative environments is to enable businesses to foster collaboration among employees and with partners through technology without exposing their networks and assets to attack by malicious code. This acquisition will put Microsoft in a better position to make that happen by focusing on the following areas:

· Layered defenses. It is common practice in business networks to use a set of layered defenses to improve protection against malicious code. Similarly, effective protection of collaborative environments requires layers of defense.

· Integration with infrastructure. The layers must be tightly integrated not only with each other, but with the rest of the infrastructure in the network. Without such integration, a security solution can be unmanageable, have poor performance and let attacks through.

· Protection from the latest threats. Malicious threats evolve quickly. Defenses must be updated often, and be backed by worldwide networks of researchers who will identify and develop protection measures against the latest threats before they have a chance to impact businesses.

Terms of the acquisition were not announced. Sybari will maintain all current operations until regulatory approval.

More information about Microsoft and its efforts to address computer security is available at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security.

About Sybari Software

Sybari Software secures the information workplace with award-winning anti-virus, anti-spam and content-filtering technologies. Its solutions are used by leading organizations worldwide to protect their e-mail, instant messaging and document sharing, enabling them to maximize productivity and profitability and achieve corporate compliance. Sybari Software delivers its products through a worldwide channel partner network. Headquartered in New York, Sybari Software maintains operations throughout the Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

I don't see how Microsoft would be breaking any anti-trust laws if they were producing an antivirus??

If they start bundling free antivirus software into their Windows OS, then that begins to stifle competition. Why go out and buy Norton or McAfee if you have an AV present on your system already.

This is the same as with Internet Explorer. Most people don't know the difference between Internet Explorer and Firefox. My parents certainly don't, and they only started using Firefox after I installed the program and put a link on their desktop that says Internet.

Same for Media Player, in which Microsoft is currently in a fight against the EU and it now having to release a version of Windows to the European populace minus the Media Player being included.

I'm not sure yet as to whether Microsoft is going to be bundling the AV with their OS software, as this might look monopolistic. They may just go ahead and sell this as an additional piece of software that they offer.

basically, they are damned if they do, and damned if they don't.

minor thread jack here. I have tried open office and star office, and MS office is just plain better in almost every aspect. Its not just cause MS made it.

end thread jack

I think the only reason they can get away with the spyware is beacuse the big players are mostly free anyway and a large chunk of the not free ones are scams.

When they released the new firewall with SP2, there was talk about anti trust rearing its head, but I think thats why they made the firewall purposfully weak. Dont get me wrong, its better than nothing, but it cant hold a candle to zonealarm/kerio etc

Ask and you shall receive. Apparently, Microsoft will soon be releasing an anti-virus software subscription called 'Windows One Care.'

Quote:

Fri May 13,12:10 PM ET.
SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news), the world's largest software maker, unveiled on Thursday plans to launch a computer subscription service that would include anti-virus and security updates for personal computers.

The Redmond, Washington-based software giant said it will initially distribute the new service, called "Windows OneCare" among its employees this week and will offer a trial, or beta, service for PCs running Windows later this year. Users would pay a yearly fee for the subscription.

Read entire article here.

If they make and support the AV software as good as they do their O.S. I know I wouldn't use it. :lol: