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01 Dec 2005
Microsoft has launched Windows One Care Live Security beta, an anti-virus and anti-spyware service for consumers only.
The service offers anti-virus, firewall, backup and recovery, as well as personal computer maintenance. Initially free, it will eventually be available for a subscription fee.
The service is part of the company's Windows Live strategy announced last month, which sees Microsoft compete more directly with the likes of Google, Yahoo and Salesforce.com by using the web to deliver new products and services to customers.
Windows Live is a web-based service whereby users can sign up for a 'live' home page that pulls in constantly updating content from a range of information sources including web searches, email, syndicated headlines from other sites and photos and audio from across the web.
Microsoft has already introduced its Windows Live Safety Centre service allowing a one-time fix requiring consumers to go back to the web site. OneCare Live provides constant and more comprehensive protection against viruses and other security threats.
Microsoft says its target market for OneCare Live is the estimated 70 per cent of consumers who do not have anti-virus software or do not keep it updated.
The move follows the firm’s acquisition of anti-virus firm GeCad Software, and anti-spyware firms Giant and Sybari to bolster its anti-spyware offering.
An enterprise desktop version, to be called Microsoft Client Protection, is expected to be available next year.
Graham Titterington, an analyst at Ovum, said: “This is very important news for the IT security industry, and hence for all IT users. Microsoft will have a major effect on the market, even if it tries to restrain itself in order to avoid anti-monopoly investigation. It will inevitably become the default choice of supplier on Windows platforms, both on the desktop and in the consumer space.
“The issue for the other security vendors is how to adjust their costs to reflect a lower volume of sales without compromising the quality of their offering. Mergers and rationalisation in the industry are inevitable.”
Microsoft said 15,000 customers are already using the service.
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Another fine Mess
This one care live, crashed Thunderbird, Firefox and Zonealarm. and then when I tried to uninstall ONe care live it crashed itself and now can't be uninstalled without a re-installation of Win XP. It even messed up system restore. THanks MS for wasting my time this afternoon.
Posted by: Dave 01 Dec 2005
Microsoft Anti-Virus Service
Both Symantec and McAfee have needed a "shot across the bow" for some time. Personally, I don't feel that Microsoft should interfere with the already competitive Anti-Virus market plus Microsoft is interferring with already good commerce, but that's just me. However, both Symantec and McAfee have complicated the 'consumer' with products that are difficult and confusing to use. My company still recommends non-enterprise Symantec and McAfee products to consumer users but with the warning that installs and configuration is often like a spider's web for the unsuspecting end-user. Doesn't mean that the products don' work because they do and very effectively. We'll see if Microsoft untangles the web for consumers.
Posted by: Larry Martn, DataCom Systems, Austin, TX 01 Dec 2005
If Symantec was bearable this wouldn't have occured!
Symantec is a huge behemoth and hasn't inovated for way to long! Good for Microsoft for forcing the industry to reinvent themselves!
Posted by: Lane 01 Dec 2005
Microsoft misses the point
I've always been amazed when corporations charge fees for things they should be providing as a value-add. Since most of the viruses attack vulnerabilities in Microsoft's OS, an anti-virus solution from Gates & Co should be free to registered owners of the OS. Why should a company profit from their own inept ability to secure its own product? Sure, it's done everyday, but does that make it right?
Posted by: tman 01 Dec 2005
The Master of the Game!
First you produce a product with holes (Sale No1) and second you produce covers of the holes (sale No2).
Posted by: MSFun 01 Dec 2005
Micro$oft finally fixing problems?
Micro$oft should have fixed the virus/ spyware problems the second they appeared instead of letting third party software companies get fat on consumers misery. The idea that Micro$oft will charge extra to fix a problem it created is pure extortion. Could you imagine a car manufacturer charging extra when they have a general recall?
Posted by: Mick Hamblen 01 Dec 2005
trust
It would have to be better than norton it would have to earn our trust just like everybody else
Posted by: SAL 01 Dec 2005
Another Silver Bullet for Linux/Open Source
Once again MS is targeting our bank accounts to further itself. How soon will it be before they're back in court, battling to prove they aren't REALLY infringing etc, etc? Whom will they have to pay off in order to prove their point of being humble and has only the good of the BUYING PUBLIC at heart? Their product is good enough but there are better, such as Linux for one. Firefox and Thunder Bird are superior and pretty much free.
Posted by: Senior Chief 01 Dec 2005
Gee - Conflict of interest or what?
You would think that Microsoft should offer this as a part of their operating system that they refuse to patch. How interesting is it that you turn a bad idea from a defect in your software into an opportunity to make money. Here is an idea for ya. How about making those executables that come in off the web run under a user profile that has no authority to change "my" files. Then these viruses and adware programs would not exist. I am feeling ripped off AGAIN!
Posted by: barant 01 Dec 2005
It should read...
The article should read as follows: Microsoft has launched Windows, a virus-laden, spyware service for consumers and businesses alike...
Posted by: Ron Z 01 Dec 2005
Microsoft's the Virus
Yeah right, Microsoft will stop viruses.... Is that before or after they secure their operating system. Microsoft doesn't have the programmers to defend against a 12 year old let alone a real virus writer. This is a joke product from a joke company.
Posted by: Chad 01 Dec 2005
Sleeping Giant
Having been in technology for past 10 years. I've seen alot of company's come and go. All this hype about Google and how Google will crush Microsoft. Technology companies hate being second to anyone. I was a Microsoft developer sometime ago. If Micosoft feels that their position is being threated by a new comer. Remember the days of the "browser" wars. Microsoft came from behind and crushed Netscape. Microsoft has been challenged my times in the past and come out on top. Micosoft is a sleeping giant, all this hype about Google has woke this mighty beast. My money is on Microsoft where's yours?
Posted by: Bira Rai birarai 01 Dec 2005
Link???
What, no link to the product/service page?? http://www.microsoft.com/windows/onecare/
Posted by: Ben 01 Dec 2005
Yeh riiiiight
Can we actually trust this stuff? Symantec and McAffee have long been in the business of sweeping up viruses in Windoze... Another case of MS shutting the barn door AFTER the horses run away. :p
Posted by: Catalina 01 Dec 2005
Windows OneCare
I've been a Beta tester for this MS product and been very happy with both the product and the support from MS. And yes, I'll more than likely be dropping my existing anti-virus program unless MS prices itself too high. We've been told that the product will be free to individuals using genuine MS Windows products.
Posted by: Bob Allen 01 Dec 2005
Extortion
Microsoft should have never sacrificed security over their so called innovative "functionality" features. What they need most of all is to fix the security measures in Vista and not sell additional paid services to users who are vulnerable because of them in the first place.
Posted by: GT 01 Dec 2005
Pay for Protection?
This new service sounds crazy. Why make a new service and charge customers a fee to have safe computers? Why not fix the flaws with Windows and not have viruses in the first place. Come on lets go after the source, not try to make a better Band-Aid. I have never payed a cent in my life for virus protection. I have also never had a virus. I also use an Apple.
Posted by: Conk 01 Dec 2005