Re: Where is Microsoft Anti-Virus????

From: Jupiter Jones [MVP] (jones_jupiter_at_hotnomail.com)
Date: 10/02/04 

Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 12:04:32 -0600

"...your boss just announced..."
Perhaps he is your boss, but he is not my boss or the boss of any
other MVP for that matter, at least if you are referring to who I
think you are.

Computers if setup correctly are safe out of the box.
Since the manufacturers do what they want regardless the capabilities
of the OS, they should at least get part of the blame.
Why do you omit them?

As far as Windows all by itself, if someone buys Windows, they are
building their own computer...or close enough.
If that is the case, they need to be aware what all is needed for
secure computing.

When you buy an engine for an automobile, should it be ready to go?
Or do you maybe have to buy gas and oil as well?

If your 80 year old grandmother buys a computer and the computer is
not secure to your/her satisfaction out of the box, you have a problem
with the OEM and not so much Microsoft.
Many OEMs provide an antivirus as well as other tools.

Much of your logic seems to apply more to an OEM rather than one
component of the computer system.
Hopefully you are also communicating your dissatisfaction to the OEMs
as well. 

-- 
Jupiter Jones  [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
"Seth Brundle" <brundlefly76@hotmail.com> wrote in message 
news:53e2ec95.0410020751.1911292f@posting.google.com...
> Well, for all you MVP's who insist that OS manufacturers are not
> responsible for antivirus solution on some sort of 'logical' 
> argument
> should note that your boss just announced that MS would be launching
> its own spyware cleaner - a great first step.
>
> And as for M$ 'not being an expert at antivirus', which is pretty
> funny, because the main focus of their organization in recent months
> has been frantically bulletproofing and patching exploits at the
> expense of pushing the next version of windows into half of what it
> was supposed to be and twice as farther out, and lets not forget 
> that
> they actually *own the code*, which is a huge help.
>
> Finally, they have more cash then just about any other company, and
> buying companies to add to their software lineup isnt anything new -
> they've certainly made worse aquisition decisions. A company that 
> size
> does not need resources lying around to build antivirus, and that
> wouldnt be a good idea anyway - just BUY someone who is already on 
> the
> job - there are at least 6 targets.
>
> Leaving the purchase, installation, and correct use of antivirus in
> the hands of users will never be an effective internet security
> solution - the goal is not to protect this users computer or that
> users computer - the goal is internet security. We also cant expect
> *every single user* to be able to afford and install antivirus
> software. It needs to come with the OS.
>
> In short, my 80 year old grandmother should be able to buy a new
> windows computer, and expect it to be secure without my help.
>
> If we want internet security, we need OS's that insure they are
> patched and protected with AV PRIOR to general usage, not as an
> afterthought. Clearly, that strategy has never worked, as it simply
> results in a global game of whack-a-mole.
>
> We certainly have the technology. As soon as windows installs are
> configured for internet usage, they should not be able to do a damn
> thing on the internet until all security updates and virus 
> definitions
> are downloaded and installed. This isnt rocket science. Its common
> sense in a world where windows computers on the internet are
> compromised within 20 minutes.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "Carey Frisch  [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message 
> news:<O3D4JjboEHA.896@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl>...
>> No version of Microsoft Windows ever included an
>> antivirus program.  When you purchased your last car,
>> did the sales price include auto insurance?
>>
>> Insuring against contracting computer viruses is a
>> personal responsibility.  There are some free antivirus
>> programs you can use, if you wish, such as:
>>
>> AVG Anti-Virus FREE Edition
>> http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/
>>
>> Frequently asked questions about Windows Security Center
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;883792&Product=windowsxpsp2
>>
>> Frequently Asked Questions About Antivirus Software
>> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/antivirus.mspx
>>
>> -- 
>> Carey Frisch
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows XP - Shell/User
>>
>> Be Smart!  Protect Your PC!
>> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> "Seth Brundle" wrote:
>>
>> | When completing my install of Service Pack 2, I was happy to see 
>> the
>> | firewall preconfigured and up-front to the user, which was an
>> | excellent step forward in security for Windows.
>> |
>> | However, I was shocked to see a balloon suggesting I purchase a
>> | third-party antivirus program (!!!)
>> |
>> | Microsoft, as a non open-source operating system company, needs 
>> to
>> | accept responsibility for anti-virus products, or open up its 
>> source
>> | code. Only those in possesion of the source code itself are best 
>> able
>> | to manage a comprehensive and fast-response antivirus system.
>> |
>> | To both acknowledge that your operating system is virus-prone and
>> | suggest you pay someone else to protect you from Microsoft's 
>> insecure
>> | software is very ironic.
>> |
>> | Rather then promoting the anti-virus market by advertising 
>> third-party
>> | products, why isnt Microsoft simply accepting the reponsibility 
>> of its
>> | operating system security from end to end with an anti-virus
>> | product??? As the owner of the OS, source code, and Windows
>> | developers, and as one of the most cash-laden companies in the 
>> world,
>> | they alone are best equipped to undertake this task, yet they 
>> seem
>> | fine with simply letting their lack of security support a 
>> third-party
>> | software market.
>> |
>> | I dont want to pay $80 for my operating system, then pay another 
>> 50%
>> | of the cost of the netire operating system to a third party to 
>> protect
>> | me from its vulnerabilities - having the OS reccommend this is
>> | insulting.
>> |
>> | ????

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