Magsmom said:
Bruce: Why do you NOT trust Windows Live One Care? After all, Microsoft
is, and has been a leader in software development for decades. Funny you
should say this, since I just read articles about both Norton and McAfee
antivirus software having some vunerabilities. I have tried several other
antivirus programs and found them either too complicated or cumbersome to
use, or not comprehensive enough. WLOC is user friendly and covers not only
antivirus, but spyware, tune up, back up and automatic updates on antivirus
and spyware definitions.
I can see that Malke already answered your question, and did a much
better job of it than I probably could have.
In addition to the "technical" reasons that Malke explained, I have
other reasons for not advocating the use of One Care Live:
1) I don't think it wise to use a "security" product made by the same
company that makes the operating system. It strikes me as too much like
setting the fox to guard the hen house. Can the folks on the One Care
Live development group safely point out weaknesses and vulnerabilities
in the OS without the much better financed and tenured Windows group
raising a stink and getting them "muzzled?" Even if One Care Live does
address a vulnerability, it'll tend to do so quietly (almost
stealthily), so as not to embarrass Microsoft, potentially leaving those
millions of consumers who don't subscribe to Once Care Live out in the cold.
2) I find the idea of any OS maker offering an additional, commercial
security solution extremely distasteful and hypocritical. Granted that
NO OS can be made 100% secure, but to turn out a vulnerable, expensive
OS and then sell protection for that same OS smacks of running a
protection racket. Microsoft should either make their OS more secure,
or offer One Care Live as a free package.
3) One Care Live is an attempt at getting people to buy into the
concept of "Software as a Service." What this means is that consumers
will have to rely upon software and services provided solely via the
Internet rather than installed on their own computers. Many other
companies are pursuing this business model, in part because it'll cut
their costs to the bone: No need to produce and ship installation media,
no need to have a patch/upgrade distribution system, etc. But this
business model places the consumer completely at the mercy of their
Internet provider and the software company. I prefer to remain in
complete control of my own computer, thank you.
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
