Security firms cry foul over Microsoft antivirus bundling

FFS!

It's not as is MS are removing other AV products and replacing them with their own - they are giving AV sotware to people who have not downloaded someone else's version. If these people had wanted Trust, Norton or McAfee on their systems they would have done so, so this is not going to harm their sales in ANY way! Sheesh...

By The_Scrote on 9 Nov 2010

Surely an operating system company should be allowed to release software to protect its operating systems?

By malfranks2 on 9 Nov 2010

What next???

AV firms demanding in front of the European Commission that Microsoft by law includes in Windows security holes and bugs? Oh for crying out loud...

By Josefov on 9 Nov 2010

Maybe Intel should join in

Most of my machine resources are used on antivirus bloatware. Maybe Intel and AMD should join in or a green lobby should monitor antivirus programs.

By GeoffClark007 on 9 Nov 2010

Get a grip

I would have thought anyone that truly cared about the security of end users would be happy that Microsoft are actually being proactive in getting those without any security software protected.

That's the most important point, these are people with no security software installed, people who are at risk themselves and by their (non) action putting the rest of us at risk. These are the people that the security vendors tell us need to be protected, and Microsoft is using its position to help them get secure.

Still, it's nice to know which of the security vendors put profit above the protection of users...

By happygeek on 9 Nov 2010

I swapped from AVG to this long before it was on download update.It's a small,lightweight footprint with a fairly high detection rate based on some reviews.What more do you need.Certainly not some of the bloatware around in the industry.

By Jaberwocky on 9 Nov 2010

Windows Update is not a choice for users

It can be switched off if desired.

By Lacrobat on 9 Nov 2010

@Jaberwocky
I assume you mean MSE and not AVG. I read of lots of people who have AVG Free but still get infected. MSE is great.

Microsoft can't win. I'm sure we will have the pro-Mac brigade along soon moaning about security in Windows.

By Stiggy on 9 Nov 2010

In the next 5 years...

The security industry that we know it will be mothballed. As apps start using Sandboxed environments the antivirus package becomes less and less relevant and the move towards cloud computing will only accelerate this. What a shame eh? millions of consumers will no longer have to shell out £50 a year...

By 00lissauers on 9 Nov 2010

The EU ought to say

Not only that Microsoft CAN do this, but that they MUST do it, and from here on in they will be held responsible for preventing the spread of viruses and botnets on Windows. I feel some sympathy for the security vendors who have this far been making good money providing something that ought to have been in the OS from the start. Maybe they should concentrate of marketing their expertise to Microsoft and other OS vendors rather than end-users?

By JohnAHind on 9 Nov 2010

Security journalist gets all sad

I have, for the longest time, argued passionately against the notion that security vendors like to stir up the attack threat paranoia in order to sell product. I have long argued that they have, in actual fact, the protection and security of the end user at heart and that's all there is to it.

Now, I say very sadly indeed, I am not so sure that is true - at least as far as some vendors are concerned.

It will be very interesting to see if any more step forward to put their weight behind the browser ballot and anti-Microsoft movement.

I rather hope not.

I rather hope some will have the courage to stand up and say "actually, you know what, this is a good thing that Microsoft is doing"

I'm not holding my breath.

Davey Winder
Contributing Editor PC Pro

IT Security Journalist of the Year

By happygeek on 9 Nov 2010

Re-install / windows up-date

Well, I've just re-installed XP for first time in a year, long over due I know. I update graphics drivers then run windows up-date/re-boot/up-date contunally until windows up-date returns no results. Then I install AV/firewalls. This time of course MSE downloaded, must admit my lack of insite, I though the Maliciouis Software Removal tool had been re-named. I was quite happy to see this, especially when you compare it's footprint to AVG11 or Avast. If only windows firewall stopped outgoing connections too I'd have no need to install ZoneAlarm either. I agree with JohnAHind that Microsoft MUST do this and the articles comment of a security vendors choice window. Though with 'choice' & free vs £50 per years price tags on offer I'll hazard a guess over which most people will choose.

By ardow on 9 Nov 2010

For anyone who got this on windows update was it an essential or an optional update? I'm hoping essential as that means it might actually get installed on more machines, but if it was optional then what was the point, its never going to get installed.

By Shuflie on 9 Nov 2010

enough already!

Saw this coming a long time ago.

Thing is though the security firms have no leg to stand on this time as it is not bundled merely suggested as an optional component download on systems where no protection is detected.

Next it will be all other defrag companies crying foul play because Microsoft bundle a cut down version of Executive Software's Diskeeper with their operating system. Then there is WordPad and Paint. More competing products are available. Or how about Apple, Real and VLC getting a ballot box too? This could run and run. The EU have got to put a stop to this rubbish or it will take twice as long to choose what software you want as to install the OS before long.

By mr_chips on 9 Nov 2010

@ardow
Windows Firewall does stop outgoing connections. Even if it doesn't do it by default you can create some simple rules. ZoneAlarm is a relic of the past IMO.

By Stiggy on 9 Nov 2010

So when will they complain about Linux and Apple not giving enough opportunity for security firms to sell s/ware to their users?

By AdrianB on 9 Nov 2010

Utter rubbish

It's akin to car alarm manufacturers objecting to car manufacturers fitting alarms and immobilisers to their cars "it's not fair, buyers should be given a ballot to what alarm/immobiliser they are offered with their new car". Some don't care what security they have as long as it's there, others will upgrade to stronger security protection. That's life, deal with it.

By everton2004 on 9 Nov 2010

@everton2004

See your point, but it's even further removed than that.
Rather more like buying a car that has no alarm fitted and when you take it in for a service, the garage says "I see you have no alarm fitted. The car maker will supply one for you, if you want & we'll fit it as part of the service - free of charge"

By greemble on 9 Nov 2010

But Windows already promotes other antivirus packages.

When an antivirus is not installed, Windows invites you to "Click Here to Fix this" which leads to an MS website listing several commercial antivirus products.

Actually it's been a while since I followed that link so perhaps they don't have the same list. Anyone followed it recently?

By windywoo on 10 Nov 2010

I haven't tried MSE, but if its as good as people say, its probably only that good because there is competition. Once MS kills off the competition, they won't bother improving it, and viruses will return.
Being a monopoly usually means being regulated or broken up. Lucky for MS and Google etc that the USA lets its big tech companies do as they please.

By davidsoap on 10 Nov 2010

MSE is good!

Optional update, take it or leave it. I install this as my AV of choice after using Avira (which is also quite good). It's time to stop bashing MS in the courts and start asking about the hypocrisy of letting other companies get away with it (i.e. Apple doesn't have a Browser ballot)

By onegin101 on 10 Nov 2010

@Everton2004 & greemble

Superb analogies there :-)

I applaud MS for this move, it's been long overdue.
It also helps that MSE is actually pretty good. First thing that happens when a mate hands me a newly-bought PC/Laptop for fettling - off with the 90-day trials, on with MSE.

AV Ballot? Fine by me. Anything is better than nothing.

By Throbinevans on 10 Nov 2010