Microsoft makes Net advances

The company strikes deals to continue using Overture's paid-placement search and to fold McAfee security products into its upcoming MSN Premium service. Apple, meanwhile, opens Windows to music downloads from the iTunes store.

MSN sticks with Overture
Yahoo's Overture Services subsidiary announces it will continue to offer commercial search links to Web rival MSN, which is owned by Microsoft.
October 17, 2003

Broadband MSN gets blanket security
Microsoft strikes a deal to package antivirus and firewall products from McAfee with its MSN Premium Internet service to help users fend off virus attacks and hackers.
October 17, 2003

Apple launches iTunes for Windows
update Stating that "hell froze over," Apple CEO Steve Jobs expands his digital music service into the much larger market for Windows-based PCs.
October 16, 2003

Microsoft patches Hotmail after security warning
Responding to a warning from an antivirus company, the software giant fixes a flaw that would have left its e-mail service vulnerable to collapse at the hands of online vandals.
October 15, 2003

MSN debuts beta of free video-streaming
update Microsoft launches a test version of a new streaming-video service, which it hopes will challenge rivals RealNetworks, Yahoo and America Online.
October 14, 2003

Microsoft sued over music downloads
A small New York company files a lawsuit against Microsoft, charging that the software giant's new music download service in Europe infringes on a patent nearly 20 years old.
October 13, 2003