Wednesday, January 05, 2005
What's Microsoft going to do with the anti-spyware company they bought?
Microsoft also bought an antivirus company a while ago, and there hasn't been much news about it since.
But now there's been a "leak" about Microsoft's plans. This could be a real leak where someone was talking without permission, but the industry has a little secret -- many "leaks" are authorized and serve as trial balloons.
Mary Jo Foley's Microsoft Watch reports on Microsoft's "A-1" security subscription service, rumored to charge an annual fee for anti-spyware and antivirus updates. No word on what it would cost.
The report makes sense. Microsoft wants steady income streams. Selling subscriptions is good for Microsoft.
This could be good for customers. Microsoft knows enough about the inner workings of Windows to win fights with spyware that tries to reinstall itself. They also have a chance of writing antivirus software that cooperates better with Windows. It could be bad if it scares away competitors.
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But now there's been a "leak" about Microsoft's plans. This could be a real leak where someone was talking without permission, but the industry has a little secret -- many "leaks" are authorized and serve as trial balloons.
Mary Jo Foley's Microsoft Watch reports on Microsoft's "A-1" security subscription service, rumored to charge an annual fee for anti-spyware and antivirus updates. No word on what it would cost.
The report makes sense. Microsoft wants steady income streams. Selling subscriptions is good for Microsoft.
This could be good for customers. Microsoft knows enough about the inner workings of Windows to win fights with spyware that tries to reinstall itself. They also have a chance of writing antivirus software that cooperates better with Windows. It could be bad if it scares away competitors.
# posted by Frederick @ 10:37 AM Email to a friend:
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