[guispeak] Fw: MS Virus Checker and Spyware Killer

"Laura Eaves" <leaves1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> · Sat, 8 Jan 2005 16:04:30 -0500

Hi all -- thought you'd be interested in the following... I still think I'll 
keep McAfee for the time being, but it is interesting.
--le

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Will Pearson" <will-pearson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <Windows@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 10:07 AM
Subject: Re: MS Virus Checker and Spyware Killer

Here's a press article I just came across elsewhere.

Microsoft Corp. will release free anti-virus software next week but warned
consumers that they should use another brand as well.

It's another step toward Microsoft's ultimate goal to compete with veterans
of the anti-virus industry such as McAfee Inc. and Symantec Corp.

"They've got tremendous reputations and tremendous businesses," said Gytis
Barzdukas, director of product management for the security business and
technology unit at Microsoft Corp.

But Barzdukas insists Microsoft will be a contender.

Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool is designed to remove major
viruses from computers running Windows.

Those who sign up for the free service will receive automatic updates each
month with information on new threats. But Microsoft's removal tool won't
provide as much protection as anti-virus software from competitors.

Barzdukas called the Microsoft product "an additional layer of security."

Over the past year, Microsoft has released several programs designed to
defeat the most notorious viruses.

This new software tool will mean updates come out on a regular schedule, as
opposed to the company's previous approach of releasing code whenever it was
ready.

Some in the industry aren't sure Microsoft's virus removal tool is
necessary, given that it will protect only against big-name threats while
leaving consumers vulnerable to lesser-known viruses.

Jag Sebbag, general manager of McAfee Security in Canada, said his company's
anti-virus software already is designed to handle all anti-virus problems,
big and small.

Microsoft has long discussed getting into the anti-virus software market and
plans to offer a more comprehensive anti-virus software package one day.

Barzdukas said he didn't know when the full-blown product would be available
but he said customers would have to pay for that software.

"I kind of think Microsoft is testing the winds before it launches the full
cannon-ball attack this year," said Seihun Kong, senior analyst at
ThinkEquity Partners LLC in San Francisco.

Microsoft also released free software yesterday to combat spyware, software
that secretly infiltrates computers, often to collect information about
users. Spyware can cause poor computer performance and be very difficult to
remove manually.

But Microsoft's anti-spyware program is only in beta form, which means the
software still is being tested and might not work perfectly. Once testing is
complete, users might have to pay for the spyware product, Barzdukas said.

Shares in other anti-virus companies fell yesterday in response to
Microsoft's announcements. Symantec's stock fell by 7.43 per cent to $23.18
(U.S.) on the Nasdaq. McAfee's stock also was affected, dropping $1.48 to
$25.15 on the New York Stock Exchange.

"Every time they talk about doing this our stock takes a hit," Sebbag said.

Kong said he doesn't think that Microsoft will cut into Symantec's or
McAfee's revenues this year.

Last month, Symantec announced plans to buy Veritas Software Corp. for about
$13.5 billion (U.S.) in stock. That deal, which Kong said many investors saw
as a defensive move, is expected to close in the second quarter of this
year.

Symantec did not return calls for comment.

"We think that the stock could actually start lifting later in the year, as
people get comfortable with the acquisition and they realize what the true
impact of Microsoft will be," Kong said.

Kong does not hold any Symantec, McAfee or Microsoft stock.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1105053011634
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "InThaneElf" <inthaneelf@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <Windows@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 11:30 PM
Subject: Re: MS Virus Checker and Spyware Killer

> since the only thing I have been watching is either the weather channel,
> to
> see how much more water California is going to dump on my head, while I
> try
> to take a break here, and the jewelry channel, to drool over the pretty
> and
> expensive rocks that are usually just out of my reach, no I haven't herd
> yet, but I will see what I hear now I know to look, smile
>
> you could also ask will from the programming list, he don't know all, but
> he
> is closer in and gets more hints about ms stuff than the rest of us put
> together?
>
> regards,
> inthane
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <james.homme@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <Windows@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 5:35 AM
> Subject: MS Virus Checker and Spyware Killer
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>>
> s> Hi,
>> Last night on CNN Headline news, they said Microsoft has come out with a
>> free virus checker and a free spyware cleaner. Does anyone know anything
>> about this?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>>
>> James D Homme,
>> Information Design + Development
>> Highmark Inc.
>> james.homme@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>> 412-544-0527
>> "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
>> "
>>
>>
>>
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