Caught Between Bad Security And Antitrust Questions
from the tricky-situation dept
Ever since Microsoft went out and bought an anti-spyware company people have been wondering about the conflicts this has caused within the company. One of the biggest issues concerned charging for the software, as it seemed somewhat ridiculous that a problem often caused by Microsoft's own weak security would lead to Microsoft getting to make extra money from people. With that in mind, many were initially relieved when Microsoft indicated that it would continue to offer the software for free. However, late last week, the company began to talk about how it would offer a complete security package for a fee... leading some to mock the company for causing the pain in the first place, and then selling the solution. Of course, the situation might not be that simple. Given Microsoft's trouble in the past with anti-trust violations, it's easy to see how Microsoft could then be accused of using its monopoly position in operating systems to wipe out the desktop security business. So, the company is stuck behind a rock and a hard place: don't charge and face anti-trust violations or charge and deal with anger from people who feel Microsoft is charging to fix its own problems. Of course, there is a third option. Instead of patching over security holes with extra software, they could go back and design the underlying code not to be so full of holes...
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No Subject Given
I don't feel sorry for them, because Microsoft has willingly put itself in this position. They did not have to buy the anti-spyware and anti-virus companies. It is the result of the typical Microsoft strategy of wanting a piece of every pie.
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Re: No Subject Given
If Linux were as pervasive as Windows in the Joe Sixpack/Mom demographic, how long do you think it would be until somebody mailed them a source rpm with the subject "Your Capitol One Online Statment Program"?
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no pity...
Hmmmm...lets see, there's a critical exploit in Longhorn, we could SPEND a million bucks fixing it...OR...we could SAY work is "in progress" and make 5 Million with our "security system"
Which do YOU think they'll go for?
Not once has Microsoft ever done the ethical choice.
Mind you, yes, they ARE a business and seemingly these days not bound by any other ethic other than to be profitable, but in this kind of clear conflict of interest situation, they should NOT remain in the position they are in.
Sadly, nothing short of government power will get them out, and that with a slap on the wrist. By that time, their way will be the de-facto standard (I mean you don't see IE unbundled from Windows do you?)
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MSC and anti-virus - very tricky situation
(1) MSC should ALWAYS have been in the anti-virus business. It's actually quite silly to think of the OS ignoring virus control.
(2) In fact I'm sure MSC has always consulted with some of the virus compajies to determine the hooks they need into the OS to do good virus checking.
(3) If MSC knocks out the other vendors and takes over this market, then 90% of all PCs will have exactly the same virus holes. THAT'S A NIGHTMARE!
- PB
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Microsoft Enters Consumer Security. Again.
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