The Security Mentor

I wish I could take credit for this insight. It comes from a user named "bogie" on the geek forum Slashdot.

Microsoft bought the highly recommended commercial spyware fighter "Giant Anti-Spyware" last year and has leaked sneak previews of what the Microsoft anti-spyware program will look like.

Microsoft will then be able to tell you what software on your machine is "legitimate" and what isn't. You'll have a Microsoft program on your machine that will advise you to remove other programs. This is new.

Antivirus companies have shrunk from removing spyware programs. They might get sued by a spyware company arguing that it was doing legitimate business. Will Microsoft be willing to get into court fights with spyware companies?

What if an ad-supported program competes with one of Microsoft's products? Will they tell you to delete it and risk another antitrust suit? Will they leave the ad-supported program in place where it might destabilize your computer?

Shipping an anti-spyware program will give Microsoft a lot of power. I hope someone in the company is vowing "We must only use this power for good!"