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Security Affecting Microsoft's Bottom Line
kidlinux writes "The Globe and Mail has an article discussing the impact of viruses and security flaws in Windows. Apparently Microsoft has bounties out on virus writers. 'The campaign reveals just how much of a threat to Microsoft's bottom line security flaws now represent.' The effects of various worms and security issues are becoming visible in financial terms - having to deal with the security issues keeps Microsoft from closing new deals, and governments and businesses are starting to look at the alternatives, such as Linux. 'For the first time, it seemed, flaws in Microsoft's software were translating into flaws in the company's business model.'"
Why're we taking this at all seriously?
M$oft says something to paint themselves in a good light, we slam it with, 'they must be lying, it's a bunch of FUD, they're just hiding the truth....etc'
M$oft says something bad, which casts them in a bit of a bad light, we immediately take it as gospel.
Fact: The average consumer is more aware of problems with M$oft security due to the prevalence of that information itself. (iNet, popular news media, print, etc).
Fact: The average consumer is more aware of alternatives to M$oft products, IE, Linux, MacOS, *shudder* Lindows...
Fact: The average consumer never bothers to install ANYTHING other than the OS that came preinstalled on their CompUSA/CC/BB/Wal-Mart PC.
Truthfully? I fail to see how this is costing them anything at all when you get right down to it. They've STILL got the market sewn up on preinstalled systems, the average consumer STILL thinks it's the easiest OS to use, and Symantec has those consumers who ARE a bit worried and aware of the dangers convinced that by running Norton Craptilities they can circumvent those dangers.
Crapcrapcrapcrap.
More crap.
Don't park drunk, accidents cause people.
...too little too late. Sorry MS, but you only have yourselves to blame.