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Microsoft Free Anti-Virus Play Raising Ruckus

Just as we expected, the release of a beta for Microsoft's free anti-virus tool caused a firestorm, with vendors such as Symantec complaining that Microsoft has no real right to be in this market -- and that the product stinks to boot!

This argument defies logic. If the product stinks, why do you care that it exists? Meanwhile, the patch-meisters from Shavlik argue that the big security suites are big on costs and small in agility. So a small tool like the new MS anti-virus package ain't such a bad thang.

I clearly see Symantec's anger; Microsoft is trying to take over a market others pioneered. On the other hand, this move has been coming for years, giving security vendors plenty of time to react. Do I sound conflicted? You bet. Where do you come down? Send your thoughts to [email protected].

Posted by Doug Barney on June 26, 2009


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