Comments on: Spyware-killing Vista could take out rivals
Updated OS has tougher tools than ever to fight sneaky programs. Some analysts think that spells trouble for anti-spyware makers.
Images: Vista tackles spyware
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Most of the anti-trust case was about Microsoft over and over again attempting to kill off or weaken any other applications that lowered or weakened the applications barrier (which Microsoft controlled). See examples in the "Findings of Fact" for: Netscape's browser; Sun's Java; RealNetworks streaming software; Apple's QuickTime; Intel's NSP software; IBM's Notes).
If I were Microsoft and I realized that most applications today are now distributed via the Web, and less and less through traditional OEMs (PC makers), I would want to replace my control over what apps OEMs placed on new PCs (see Microsoft/OEM stories), with some sort of control over what apps USERS are now placing (installing) on their PCs via web downloads.
Microsoft still has strong influence over the OEM side of application distribution.
The question is how do you influence the other (growing) side of application distribution - apps that users get by downloading via the web and installing on their PCs?
I think there are at least 3 ways (maybe more) to get influence over application installations via the web, all of which Microsoft probably wants to try to exert some influence over:
1. Marketing (Microsoft has all the money for this),
2. Word of Mouth/User Opinion (here, web democracy can over come marketing dollars),
3. Anti-Spyware - influence users to hesitate about installing competitor?s apps downloaded from the web (thus increasing the "application barrier to entry"). I know the first time I saw the Internet Explorer 6 warning about code possibly ?accessing? my PC, I canceled out, until I could later go online and verify that the product was known to not be spyware.
At any rate, Microsoft knows the past-power of staying in control of the "application barrier to entry", sometimes by controlling OEM application installation, sometimes by withholding needed technical information from competitors, etc, etc.
They also probably realize that a significant amount of future applications will be distributed and installed via the web (as opposed to via OEMs). Bill G. knows this; remember the famous memo: "In late May 1995, Bill Gates, the chairman and CEO of Microsoft, sent a memorandum entitled "The Internet Tidal Wave" to Microsoft's executives".
Anyway, Microsoft definitely would not want to pass up on this new type of influence (i.e., anti-spyware) over the "applications barrier to entry", especially when all they had to do was provide anti-spyware for free and/or bundle it with Vista.
I'm not saying Microsoft will win the anti-spyware market, but Microsoft can't let someone else exert more control than they do over what new apps get installed on top of their operating system (otherwise Microsoft?s "application barrier to entry" gets weakened, which they are not going to allow).
It's like the law-makers. Due to thieves we make laws that make it easyer to punish them etc. Yet these laws make life extremely difficult and expensive for the average person. And thieves continue business as usual ;-)
Look at 9-11, air travel has never been so troublesome, yet Osama and all the terrorism just continue (in fact, its even worse now)
With every attempt to patch the holes and create security updates, the makers of viruses and worms are given a new challenge to break this one again. It's like a computer game to them.
No, viruses are part of our life and we will never see computer life without it anymore. We have challenged the jokers who make them and they have responded. They are addicted to it now. It's their most challenging computergame now.
Just like the terorists, they need no reason. It's a sports by itsself now.
Its the "punk" revelotion all over. Defy law and order. Stand up agains all that calls itsself civil.
Funny though, all the security attacks are aimed at Windows. Not Linux... Not Mac...
Could it be that Windows stands for the "establishment" that the "punkers" are aiming at...?
I cannot beleive I've just read that. I'm still getting tons of spam - mainly from compromised windows PCs. Spam is NOT under control, maybe some people aren't getting a lot but thats because a lot of ISPs are using third party company filters to stop it before it gets to you.
If Microsoft have such a slanted view of the world then how on earth can they make statements on how Vista will kill off Spyware etc.
Turning spyware monitoring over to Microsoft will create as many problems as it supposedly solves.
maryt
------------------------
Linux share inherit the earth
The windows firewall didn't make firewall companies go out of business, so how would adding built-in spyware protection cause the spyware business to go caput?
Windows lets you install your own firewall, doesn't it? Doesn't it also let that 3rd party firewall interface with the security center and override the built-in firewall?
The answers to both questions is, of course, yes.
The reason Microsoft is doing this is to add protection to windows right out of the box. Users can still install their own software if they want, but it still gives them protection in the meantime. Basically, Microsoft is reacting to user demand. The majority of end users dont' want to worry about installing 3rd party software and they want their OS to protect them automatically. Hence why they're adding anti-spyware software to the OS.
When Apple released a stereo for their iPod, people didn't go around screaming "monopoly." The same goes for when they release their own software. Sure, people will probably use Apple's software over someone elses, but that doesn't mean they have a Monopoly.
The only problem is that it's branded as Windows. And that Microsoft created it. Sigh...
Admit it, if this Ultimate OS is branded otherwise and created by someone else, you just might buy it.
;-p
Virii derived from the same place '733t' and 'pwned' did. In latin 'viri' is plural for 'vir' which means "men".
There's irony all over that.
consumer has been acclimated too. To actually
believe that it is a necessity to continuously
de-fragment, de-spy, de-virii, etc. in order to
have a functioning system is beyond comprehension.
What's more, MS has convinced the public it is
worth spending more money for these supposed
enhancments!!! Brilliant! Meanwhile, engineers like
myself continue being productive without all of the
above. These articles make me feel like somehow
I am missing something by not wasting countless
hours on such an unproductive, ineffectual,
technically inept platform. I must be crazy to
use Linux! I wish I could wast a few hours to
scan my computer for spyware and then deframent
the whole filesystem like they recommend!
- Oh how things have changed
- by stacyann81 May 28, 2007 7:13 PM PDT
- I am glad to hear that Microsoft is putting forth an effort to help crack down on spyware and adware, but the truth of the matter is like most Microsoft products, widows defender falls short of the promises that were made. I recently purchased a new computer and tried very hard NOT to get windows vista, But the Dell salemen talked me into it, and he had some very valid points, like having to upgrade later once Vista has kicked into full gear. My issue is that I hate it, Windows defeander is a joke, I used it as my spyware program, and every scan said hey all is good! But after the frustration of a poorly performing new computer I went back to my tried and try Spybot... And i had over 45 instances of adware/spyware on my computer, One click of the mouse and Spybot was off and running! MY COMPUTER IS FINALLY BACK!!!! So while windows may have anticipated finding another market to monopolize, they once again failed to do it correctly. As for me I will suffer through the challenges of having Vista before it is truly ready to be full functioning, and hope to god they work out the bugs quickly. I don't think I will ever not have a third party spyware/antivirus program. So relax Mcafee and Norton, your market is still safe.
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