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Microsoft Beta Includes Built-in Virus Scanner

Posted by michael on from the goodbye-norton-and-mcafee dept.

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."

6 of 867 comments (clear)

  1. Oh boy by Lord+Grey · · Score: 5, Interesting

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

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    // Beyond Here Lie Dragons
    1. Re:Oh boy by DrXym · · Score: 5, Interesting
      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.

  2. Anti-Trust? by sterno · · Score: 5, Interesting

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

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    This sig has been temporarily disconnected or is no longer in service
  3. Ms did this before by tekiegreg · · Score: 5, Interesting
    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...
    --
    ...in bed
  4. The more important question..... by Dr+Reducto · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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?

  5. Re:serious shit for mcafee, norton, zonealarm, etc by rixstep · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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.