Microsoft Beta Includes Built-in Virus Scanner

Ethereal writes "InternetNews.com reports that Microsoft has begun beta-testing a built-in virus scanner for its Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) that will be included in the final product in mid-2004. The tool is among the operating system enhancements the Redmond, Wash., company is developing as part of its Security Center initiative to rebuff viruses, worms, trojans and crackers. Microsoft will also provide free online training to help developers make the most of SP2's security features, Chairman Bill Gates said at today's RSA Security conference. It's the first time the company has offered training with a Windows service pack release."

Comments

Oh boy

[Lord Grey]

I bet the anti-virus software companies are really going to like this one.

Re:Oh boy

[DrXym]

Quite possibly they will.

MSDOS 6 had a virus scanner and it was such a pointless, easily circumventable, obsolete, watered down piece of shit that anyone wanting a real scanner had to pay for a real product anyway.

And of course because MSDOS shipped with a broken virus scanner, it meant users got a false sense of security and plenty more viruses did the rounds despite of it.

So while it might seem that shipping a scanner is a good idea for security, in practice it will probably make the situation even worse than it is now.

Re:Oh boy

[dfj225]

I find it sad that so many people hold MS so incompetent as to not be able to write a simple anti-virus program without creating security holes. I think that MS will be more than capable of doing so. Like it or not, some really bright people work at MS and I think that Windows XP is a good operating system. Sure, it has some holes in it, but so does just about every other system. I think the real problem is that users aren't as security minded as they should be.

Re:Oh boy

[0x0d0a]

MS DOS 6 lacked widespread network access. All Microsoft has to do is make Windows Update provide the latest virus definitions.

You think that it won't be worth it for Microsoft to provide AV service for free? I'll bet it will. All the people pirating Windows will be lacking AV service then...at some point, Microsft is bound to start blocking Windows Update service to pirated copies of Windows.

Good bye Norton and Mcaffee?

[Bill, Shooter of Bul]

Will the inclusion of A default Scanner kill Norton and Mcaffee? I think they are now sitting ducks. why buy what comes free with your new computer?

Anti-Trust?

[sterno]

Would this be a vioaltion of their anti-trust agreement? Seems like this could really put the hurt on Norton, etc.

Ms did this before

[tekiegreg]

In DOS 6.22 they included a virus scanner with the operating system. A deviation of the now defunct central point anti-virus software. Anybody got any idea why they quit doing that in Win95 and beyond? My theories are as follows:

• After central point died, MS just didn't bother trying another one
• Another anti virus vendor cried "Anti-Trust!" and MS backed down
• None were ready for Win95 at the time
• MS just didn't care
• Any combo of the above...

I can't help but think though, had MS continued with offering anti-virus software, they MyDoom virus (amongst other worms) might have been a fraction of the attack it was...so sad...

The more important question.....

[Dr Reducto]

What kind of viruses will the scanner delete?

Will we have the choice to turn theirs off?

I mean, Microsoft is so lax with their security updates, I am not sure if they would create a false sense of security. Also, what if Microsoft detects illegal software? Is this a virus? Will we retain control? Is this a premonition of the TCPA?

Re:serious shit for mcafee, norton, zonealarm, etc

[MBraynard]

No joke! I'm still angry about Henry Ford putting all those carriage makers out of business.

Oh, you are being serious. A company does something to make it's customers happy, and you want government gangsters to split them up because they put someone else out of business? As a consumer, what entitles TrendMicro to my $$$ when I would rather give it to MS (or not give it - service packs are free.

Get a clue. Just because you can write code doesn't mean you understand economics.

Re:serious shit for mcafee, norton, zonealarm, etc

[pcx]

Hmm so Microsoft can't add anything to their product because there's another company already doing the same thing for their product. Yea that's really bright. Lets deny MS the right to improve their OS then Linux will be the defacto OS -- but oh wait, gotta rip out the firewall because norton makes one, gotta rip out the browser because that would stomp on opera. Rip out that media player because we gotta make sure REAL makes money, oh lord we can't forget about real.

And splitting up MS wouldn't have done jack squat about this. The OS division would have happilly put in virus and firewall protection and you know why? BECAUSE THAT KIND OF STUFF BELONGS IN THE OS! (WoW). Shoot, we can be grateful they didn't split MS up because then the OS division would be all over the place and wouldn't have to worry about bogus (don't let them improve the product!) BS like this.

Wow

[LittleLebowskiUrbanA]

Crushing the anitvirus industry in the name of security. Good one. I'm sure Longhorn will have more advanced CD burning capabilities too. Wonder what the folks at Symantec and McAfee think about this?

Re:serious shit for mcafee, norton, zonealarm, etc

[rixstep]

Parent is spot-on, and I think the companies mentioned have it coming to them, but I think it's a lot more serious than this, and I don't otherwise think either side is categorically wrong.

My estimate is that 80% or more of the software sold for the Windows platform is 'compensatory': it's stuff you wouldn't dream of having if Windows were as adequate as it should be.

Virus scanners, personal firewalls, trojan eliminators, anti-hacker tools - we're always back to square one: Microsoft let the demons in to start with. As Bill Joy so eloquently put it:

They took systems designed for isolated desktop systems and put them on the net without thinking about evildoers.

Apple Macs come with a built-in firewall, and I don't see anybody complaining over there. They also come with a built-in mail filter, and the same thing applies: no one is complaining. In fact, it all makes good sense.

Your Windows 'cottage industries' are never never never going to enlighten their clients anyway. They're never going to really care for them, and tell them the truth, that the easiest way out of this slaughter that continues every day is to ditch the Microsoft ship. No, they want you to keep using Windows; they want you to keep getting the shit kicked out of you; if you migrated to Unix, they'd be penniless.

The ultimate irony of course is that Microsoft themselves are now mucking with 'compensatory' software - instead of fixing the holes that make such gems necessary in the first place (something they're most likely incapable of doing anyway).

No solutions; just observations. The world goes round.

All anti-trust lawsuits aside...

[rjelks]

I'm not sure that this is such a bad idea. Hear me out before the flames start. :) I've discovered too many family members and coworkers that aren't even running with an antivirus program (I did fix those). I know that the MS firewall (if you can call it that) works like crap, but I think all of the non-tech people could benefit. I'm sure you'll be able to disable it and keep NAV or others on your machines. This will benefit all of those people who don't know what an antivirus program is. This will benefit the users who open up any attachment and spread the viruses. While it could give a false sense of security, I think for all of the people without AV, at least they'll have some protection. When it comes down to it, I don't think Microsoft is trying to put the AV companies out of business (I know that this flies in the face of history). They've had a lot of criticism for all of the security holes and viruses on their platform so I think this is their solution. As soon as a worm like MyDoom is discovered, they could automatically update all of the AV programs and block many of them. There are a lot of windows users out there that have no idea what security means at all. I for one, am glad there will be at least a minimal protection installed by default on those peoples machines. Until we can force computing licenses, I think this may turn out to be a good thing for the tech-illiterate. Now, I still don't think that Norton or McAfee will be happy.

-

Stripped Versions of Tools - no harm

[kompiluj]

When in Windows95/98 appeared stripped versions of programs from Norton Utilities Tools Package nobody complained (for instance the SpeedDisk(Defragmenter), Disk Doctor (ScanDisk), etc.). Those tools were sooo limited that they were good incentive to buy Norton.
On the other hand remember Norton Commander? Total Commander has killed it.