Question

[Guest]

http://enterprise-security-today.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=29534

I found that and it seems like microsoft is bundling a antivirus and an
antispyware together and it looks like they are going to chare for it. So
what happens to the free (well currently free antispyware application?) Are
you still going to let people use it for free without the bundled antivirus
or are you selling the antivirus and antispyware package together without
giving people a free antispyware. I know you never promised people anything,
and I know why. I just think it's really messed up that you would do
anuthing like this and your reputation isn't good in the first place. Be
prepared for the bashing, and I don't blame anyone. I think you knew what
you were going to do all along.

Michelle

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Microsoft clearly states that the Microsoft Antispy program
is a "beta" program (testing phase) and it expires on
July 31, 2005. Any other information will be announced
by Microsoft, in due time, by visiting www.microsoft.com.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| http://enterprise-security-today.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=29534
|
| I found that and it seems like microsoft is bundling a antivirus and an
| antispyware together and it looks like they are going to chare for it. So
| what happens to the free (well currently free antispyware application?) Are
| you still going to let people use it for free without the bundled antivirus
| or are you selling the antivirus and antispyware package together without
| giving people a free antispyware. I know you never promised people anything,
| and I know why. I just think it's really messed up that you would do
| anuthing like this and your reputation isn't good in the first place. Be
| prepared for the bashing, and I don't blame anyone. I think you knew what
| you were going to do all along.
|
| Michelle

 

[Malke]

http://enterprise-security-today.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=29534

I found that and it seems like microsoft is bundling a antivirus and
an
antispyware together and it looks like they are going to chare for it.
So
what happens to the free (well currently free antispyware
application?) Are you still going to let people use it for free
without the bundled antivirus or are you selling the antivirus and
antispyware package together without
giving people a free antispyware. I know you never promised people
anything,
and I know why. I just think it's really messed up that you would do
anuthing like this and your reputation isn't good in the first place.
Be
prepared for the bashing, and I don't blame anyone. I think you knew
what you were going to do all along.

Michelle

Feel better? You should know that you aren't talking to Microsoft when
you post in this newsgroup. This is a public newsgroup hosted on
Microsoft servers and the people who post here are all volunteers.
Occasionally, MS employees will post but that is on their own time and
not as official representatives of the company.

The MS Anti-Spyware program is *beta*. That means it isn't finished yet.
No one outside of MS knows what the final program will look like or if
MS will charge for it. In any case, there are other free alternatives
and no one will force you to use MSAS.

If you would like to make comments about MSAS, do it in one of the
newsgroups specially set up for that purpose:

- microsoft.private.security.spyware.announcements
- microsoft.private.security.spyware.appcompat
- microsoft.private.security.spyware.general
- microsoft.private.security.spyware.install
- microsoft.private.security.spyware.networking
- microsoft.private.security.spyware.signatures
- microsoft.private.security.spyware.onlinecommunity

These newsgroups can be accessed via NNTP or HTTP. To access these
newsgroups using HTTP, please go to the following location:

http://communities.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.asp?ICP=spyware&sLCID=us

To access these newsgroups using NNTP, please use the following
information for your NNTP client (such as Microsoft Outlook Express):

- NNTP Server: privatenews.microsoft.com
- Account name: privatenews\spyware
- Password: spyware

NOTE: No password will be required via the HTTP link.

If you would like to make a comment about MS products, here is a link to
a place you can do that:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=114491 - How to Contact the Microsoft
Wish Program

Malke

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Feel better? You should know that you aren't talking to Microsoft when
you post in this newsgroup. This is a public newsgroup hosted on
Microsoft servers and the people who post here are all volunteers.
Occasionally, MS employees will post but that is on their own time and
not as official representatives of the company.

Actually when we do post it is regarded as representative of our company -
we are not allowed to make personal opinionated statements. It is regarded
the same as if I was on stage at a public technical conference.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

http://enterprise-security-today.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=29534

I found that and it seems like microsoft is bundling a antivirus and an
antispyware together and it looks like they are going to chare for it. So
what happens to the free (well currently free antispyware application?)
Are
you still going to let people use it for free without the bundled
antivirus
or are you selling the antivirus and antispyware package together without
giving people a free antispyware. I know you never promised people
anything,
and I know why. I just think it's really messed up that you would do
anuthing like this and your reputation isn't good in the first place. Be
prepared for the bashing, and I don't blame anyone. I think you knew what
you were going to do all along.

Michelle,

The article make no mention of any antivirus product (although we have just
bought Sybari http://www.sybari.com/)
If we did release a number of security products why would you expect them to
be fee when all other vendors products for anti virus and anti spyware are
charged for and in many cases subscription based. You also need to consider
the potential legal issue that providing a direct competitor to a commercial
product for free may cause.
As regards your comment about the currently "free" anti spyware product -
this is no different to the currently free Beta of the x64 versions of
Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 you can download - this is pre
release/incomplete trail software and you will be required to purchase the
final released version if you wish to use it once we ship it.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Malke]

Actually when we do post it is regarded as representative of our
company -
we are not allowed to make personal opinionated statements. It is
regarded the same as if I was on stage at a public technical
conference.

Thanks, Mike. I've made a note of it.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Well I have a question (another one), yes many antiviruses do charge for
their antivirus but some do not. Some have a pro though where they do
charge, but some they may have a free version. Antivir, Avast, Avg. They
all have free versions, and you say ALL antiviruses charge and that just
isn't true. And there are free antispyware applications too. I just think
it's a bad idea for Microsoft to make, at least you can give a cripled
version of your program for free. You know what I am saying? I also use
Webroot Spysweeper and I like this product better than your beta, and yes I
did try your beta but I uninstalled it right away after I found that Webroot
Spysweeper found stuff that your program missed. Though your program isn't
too bad, but I think it needs some work. And on top of all that if I could
just say something will your program be in stores, because if it is going to
be there is a slight chance I may buy it, but if you are just selling it over
line there is no chance I could buy it, because I don't have a credit card.

Yes, most do charge (antiviruses), but they are not Microsoft. You created
windows and I think it would be nice if you really did care about keeping a
user safe from threats, but it doesn't seem that you do, does it? Thanks

Michelle

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Well I have a question (another one), yes many antiviruses do charge for
their antivirus but some do not. Some have a pro though where they do
charge, but some they may have a free version. Antivir, Avast, Avg. They
all have free versions, and you say ALL antiviruses charge and that just
isn't true.

I accept that certain smaller companies offer companies offer a limited
license for certain version of their products. I spend a large amount of my
time dealing with the corporate space where those products are not
acceptable.

And there are free antispyware applications too. I just think
it's a bad idea for Microsoft to make, at least you can give a cripled
version of your program for free.

I refer you to my previous mention of possible anti trust issues.

You know what I am saying? I also use
Webroot Spysweeper and I like this product better than your beta, and yes
I
did try your beta but I uninstalled it right away after I found that
Webroot
Spysweeper found stuff that your program missed. Though your program
isn't
too bad, but I think it needs some work.

Well yes that IS what a Beta is - a work in progress.
There is a difference between a finished polished product and a pre release
work in progress.

And on top of all that if I could
just say something will your program be in stores, because if it is going
to
be there is a slight chance I may buy it, but if you are just selling it
over
line there is no chance I could buy it, because I don't have a credit
card.

As I said distribution channels for any particular anti spyware product have
not been finalized.

Yes, most do charge (antiviruses), but they are not Microsoft. You
created
windows and I think it would be nice if you really did care about keeping
a
user safe from threats, but it doesn't seem that you do, does it? Thanks

I assume you are aware of Windows Updates and our monthly security releases
as well as the bulletins and alerts you can receive all as part of our
service to ensure you have as much knowledge as possible to help ensure your
PC is as secure as needs be.
Personally I would love for us to cover all your bases for you in al the
areas of your use of your PC but unfortunatly other companies, pressure
groups and even government bodies keep bringing us into courts to litigate
about our ability to include features in our Windows product to provide you
with a complete system. E.g should you need to download a browser to view
pages and data on the internet, some think not, should you need to
download or install components just to allow you to play CDs or view media
content, some think not. We are currently being litigated against by the
European Union that has resulted in us having to produce a version of
Windows XP that cannot even play a CD if you put one in your PC. see
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/legal/eudecision/faq.asp?amp;clcid=0x809.
Do you think we would be allowed to include a free Anti Virus and Anti Virus
products as part of the OS without us ending up in court again?

Michelle

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Guest]

I don't understand, if you just want to make your operating system/systems
the best it can be then how could they stop you? Afterall you are doing it
for your customers. Another thing yes I am aware of the windows updates, and
I do like the new features you added to the the os. I am a former user of
windows 98 and we got a new computer that had windows xp home edition xp1
installed and I do like all the security features you've installed. The
Security center is very good and I do like this as well as windows xp, it's a
lot better than windows 98 and I am glad you answered my questions though I
still don't see how they can stop you if you wanted to make your os better
and the os that you had to make that cannot even play a cd I just think that
is nonsense too. I don't think you should have had to do that, afterall you
are just giving customers the best computer experience or trying too and I
don't understand why anyone would want to stop you from doing that. Thanks.

Michelle

 

[Leythos]

You created
windows and I think it would be nice if you really did care about keeping a
user safe from threats, but it doesn't seem that you do, does it? Thanks

I hate to tell you this, but I've been running Windows based systems since
they came out and have never had a single compromised machine, not one
virus, not one worm, nada....

MS has some very clear documents on how to setup secure systems, even for
XP, and they even tell you how to setup your browser and email for
protecting your computer while on the net.

Even though I run a Quality Antivirus program, other than test viruses
that we've used to check different AV software, it's never found a single
virus on our systems - it's actually simple if you take the time to
understand the threats and their methods.

Check the SECURITY pages on the MS site, you might be surprised at what
you learn.

 

[Guest]

I accept that certain smaller companies offer companies offer a limited
license for certain version of their products. I spend a large amount of my
time dealing with the corporate space where those products are not
acceptable.


I refer you to my previous mention of possible anti trust issues.


Well yes that IS what a Beta is - a work in progress.
There is a difference between a finished polished product and a pre release
work in progress.


As I said distribution channels for any particular anti spyware product have
not been finalized.


I assume you are aware of Windows Updates and our monthly security releases
as well as the bulletins and alerts you can receive all as part of our
service to ensure you have as much knowledge as possible to help ensure your
PC is as secure as needs be.
Personally I would love for us to cover all your bases for you in al the
areas of your use of your PC but unfortunatly other companies, pressure
groups and even government bodies keep bringing us into courts to litigate
about our ability to include features in our Windows product to provide you
with a complete system. E.g should you need to download a browser to view
pages and data on the internet, some think not, should you need to
download or install components just to allow you to play CDs or view media
content, some think not. We are currently being litigated against by the
European Union that has resulted in us having to produce a version of
Windows XP that cannot even play a CD if you put one in your PC. see
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/legal/eudecision/faq.asp?amp;clcid=0x809.
Do you think we would be allowed to include a free Anti Virus and Anti Virus
products as part of the OS without us ending up in court again?

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups



Though I am sorry Mike, I think I do owe you an apology. I feel very bad now for blaming you. Sorry.
Michelle