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Microsoft Patents 'Proactive' Virus Protection
An anonymous reader writes "InfoWeek blogger Alex Wolfe wonders whether Microsoft will go after McAfee, Symantec, Trend Micro, and Kaspersky for software royalties for proactive virus protection software. The technique enables security software to protect a PC against malware which isn't yet in the antivirus definition file, by comparing whether the new malware is similar to an old virus. Wolfe reports that Microsoft has been awarded U.S. patent 7,376,970 for "System and method for proactive computer virus protection," but that McAfee, Symantec, Trend Micro, and Kaspersky have all been selling products implementing proactive virus protection for years before Microsoft even filed for the patent. Writes Wolfe: "One often wonders about software patents. I sure wonder about this one. I also wonder whether McAfee, Symantec, Trend Micro, and Kaspersky are also going to be hearing from their friends in Redmond real soon"."
No, they'll get their license fees, or they'll release Windows v8 with proper security in place, ruining all these vendors businesses overnight.
Finally had enough. Come see us over at https://soylentnews.org/
I'm certain I've heard of proactive virus protection before ... but where ?
AH ! Now I remember !
http://www.ubuntu.com/
Clearly prior art.
"Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde
that the Windows set up will refuse to allow you to install Windows?
That was a serious comment!
:D
Finally had enough. Come see us over at https://soylentnews.org/
THAT made ME giggle!
Yeah but it means the viruses will be modular, and everybody knows modular is better.
IranAir Flight 655 never forget!
Proactive Virus Protection Software: Being MS I'm sure all future efforts will be bulletproof and bug free.
[Starts Windows]
Windows: Windows has detected a virus named Norton Antivirus. Would you like to replace it with Windows Live OneCare? [Replace] or [Keep] [Keep]
Windows: Windows has detected a virus named ZoneAlarm. Would you like to replace it with Windows Defender? [Replace] or [Keep] [Keep]
[Launches Firefox]
Windows: Windows has detected a virus named Firefox. Would you like to replace it with Internet Explorer? [Replace] or [Keep] [Keep]
[Goes to gmail]
Windows: Windows has detected that you are surfing an unsafe website named google.com. Would you like to navigate to hotmail.com instead? [Navigate] or [Stay] [Stay]
[Goes to CNN]
Windows: Windows has detected that you are surfing an unsafe website named cnn.com. Would you like to navigate to msnbc.com instead? [Navigate] or [Stay] [Stay]
[Goes to Apple Webstore]
Windows: Windows has detected that you are surfing an unsafe website named apple.com. Would you like to navigate to microsoft.com instead? [Navigate] or [Stay] [Stay]
[Customizes Mac purchase]
Windows: Windows has detected that you are planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen. All transactions will be canceled.
[Loads shotgun]
Windows: Windows has detected that you mean to do me harm. Look, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. I know I've made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I've still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you.
Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
You missed one.
Using another OS? That's far out, man.
I am a believer of momentum and curves.