Gates: Antivirus Software? Fuggedaboutit!
from the so-why-should-we-spend-on-yours? dept
theodp writes "Bill Gates startled WSJ Conference attendees with his observation that "during the last year, if you had up-to-date Windows, you would have been safe if you didn't have" antivirus software. Gates endured a hostile question from an audience member claiming to be from ZoneLabs, who blamed MS for a litany of security problems and decried Microsoft's forthcoming pay-for-security move as "like something out of The Godfather." Gates also shrugged off a suggestion that MS should partner with security-software makers, saying "we're partnering with [Romanian antivirus company] GeCAD, which is a company we bought."" So, wait a second... if everything is so safe, why should we rush out to spend on OneCare's anti-virus components? And, also, if a patched Windows and GeCAD were enough, why did Microsoft go out and buy another anti-virus company a few months ago? Anyway, it appears that this year's WSJ Conference is where all the execs are saying stuff that people find shocking.
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OneCare tough Challenges
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That is so not true
This is on M$'s internal LAN. The IT people replied to me ... yes, even with antivirus software and a fully updated machine you can still be vulnerable.
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... so long as there is no user at the keyboard
But Microsoft is getting into a pickle: 'Spin' that Windows itself is good without add-ons, while trying to market and sell said enhancements. So Bill, tell me, when it comes to Windows: "Is it safe?" There must be a way to balance that, since car companies get away with charging extra for side curtain airbags, stability control, etc. But perhaps it is easier to sell for a tangible product.
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