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Kaspersky Drops Antitrust Complaint After Microsoft Promises To Make Changes To Windows 10 (theverge.com)

Security firm Kaspersky said Thursday it was withdrawing its European antitrust complaint against Microsoft after the software giant promised to make changes to the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update that have appeased Kaspersky and help its anti-virus software provide notifications and alerts to renew virus definitions. From a report: Kaspersky originally filed its complaint back in June, claiming that Microsoft disabled its anti-virus software during Windows upgrades and that the software maker was using its dominance to "fiercely promote" its own Windows Defender software. Microsoft admitted in late June that Windows 10 prompts to install a new version of anti-virus from third parties like Kaspersky after an update, but it disables the old version if it's not compatible. Microsoft now says it "will work more closely with AV vendors to help them with compatibility reviews in advance of each feature update becoming available to customers." The software maker will also provide better visibility of release schedules for Windows 10 updates, giving anti-virus vendors more time to test changes.

31 comments

  1. So by fubarrr · · Score: 0

    Will they let us install KGB viruses again?

    1. Re:So by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Will they let us install KGB viruses again?

      At least they will keep the CIA virii busy.

  2. Not compatible? by smooth+wombat · · Score: 3, Insightful

    but it disables the old version if it's not compatible.

    What does that mean? How can software be good on an OS, but a second later it's not, all because of an update? What is that update breaking so egregiously that it's preventing people from using the software they've purchased?

    This is why forced updates are bad. A company breaking other people's software, in this case to prevent competition. Didn't we go through this before? What if the software Microsoft breaks is critical to operations? Are they going to reimburse the company when they lose business? Where's a class action lawsuit when you need one?

    --
    We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
    1. Re:Not compatible? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

      jesus christ.

      The "update" they are talking about is to the underlying operating system. What does an AV program do? It protects the underlying operating system. If changes are made to the operating system it's possible that these changes will render the AV software unusable or inefficient until the AV vendor produces a patch that fully supports the new OS.

      And to be clear, this wasn't done to prevent competition, it was done because windows 10 needs to be secured and updated, and just like every fucking OS before it, if major changes take place to the kernal or parts of the OS, some software will need to be updated.

      Where was your FURY when this happened after windows 7 updates? windows 2k? Fuck, what about windows 98?

      Kaspersky needs to patch THEIR software. The argument and possible case comes from the fact that MS didn't provide a means to test and patch their software on the new OS patch version, and is aggressively marketing their own AV solution.

    2. Re:Not compatible? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      >Where was your FURY when this happened ...

      Because MS did not DISABLE installed software. And it need not do it this time, it can instead offer a WARNING POP-UP. It's not like the software will not actually execute, rather due to OS changes its directory searches, etc may be off. But it still 'runs'.

      >Kaspersky needs to patch THEIR software.
      YES but AFTER a ms update, not before. How can 3rd party companies & their software do anything but react? They're not sitting under ms exec's desks waiting for treats. How pray-tell can an app pre-update before the OS updates- huh?

    3. Re:Not compatible? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If major changes take place then Microsoft should call it Windows 11 and put the choice of upgrading in the user's hands.

      Microsoft's approach will soon backfire. When a vendor proposes a hardware+Win10 combo (like a hospital scanner), buyers now push back because it's likely that Microsoft will force an incompatible change to the OS and the vendor not be around, making the hardware unusable.

    4. Re:Not compatible? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      windows 10 needs to be secured and updated

      I really wish Microsoft and their shills would stop beating people over the head with "SECURITY!!" whenever they start complaining about the bullshit they pull.

      "We need to fuck up your system/workflow/entire afternoon because security" just isn't cutting it with me anymore.

    5. Re:Not compatible? by fustakrakich · · Score: 2

      Where was your FURY when this happened after windows 7 updates? windows 2k? Fuck, what about windows 98?

      Simple. We had a bit more control. We could turn off automatic updates with those systems. Has anybody built a comprehensive block that doesn't need constant monitoring for Windows 10? I hope that answers your question.

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    6. Re:Not compatible? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Windows 10 is apparently a rolling release, they aren't afraid to make breaking kernel, API and technology changes every damn update because of that it seems.

    7. Re:Not compatible? by omnichad · · Score: 1

      Wouldn't that use some embedded form of Windows with a slower release cycle? At the very least, it could use Enterprise Windows on an LTSB - what hospital doesn't have an Enterprise setup?

    8. Re:Not compatible? by omnichad · · Score: 1

      They said secured and updated. These are feature update releases, not just security updates. But these new features are required to be installed in order to continue to be eligible for security updates. Maybe someone in the EU will finally see this as bundling as severe as IE was and put up a fight.

    9. Re:Not compatible? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When you are tied in to the OS at the level AV products are, it doesn't take a major change to break compatibility.

    10. Re:Not compatible? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Disagree. He/she doesn't need to know what specifically changed, and certainly is under no obligation to post that information just to preclude stupid responses such as yours.

    11. Re:Not compatible? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A person: The Sun is hot
      You: Citation needed

    12. Re:Not compatible? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Butthurt much?

    13. Re:Not compatible? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why would a hospital scanner need internet access? Without internet access, you can't get the updates. And a hospital would likely be running WSUS. How much lead paint did you eat as a child?

    14. Re:Not compatible? by Waccoon · · Score: 1

      It means exactly what they said. They disable an application "just in case" because there's way too much software out there to test for compatibility. Much in the way that apps rigorously tested and rubber-stamped for approval for the company store, but if they turn out to be mal-ware, they're pulled after the damage is done. For your protection!

      Seriously, I can't believe how much software was automatically deleted (with no prior warning) from my Windows10 evaluation build after the update from Windows7. Microsoft's rampage against "incompatibility" is just one of the many things that convinced me to stick with Windows7, which has always been compatible with everything no matter how many times I've updated it over the years.

    15. Re: Not compatible? by KGIII · · Score: 1

      98 didn't even have automatic updates, iirc.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  3. "promises" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'll respect you in the morning

    The check is in the mail

    I won't come in your mouth

    We'll fix it in a later version

  4. Putting a bandaid on a blown off hand. by Noishkel · · Score: 2

    On again one corporation gives a hand-job to another. Notice how nothing in this article speaks of how how Microsoft complete screwed up everything about Windows 10's roll out when it began breaking third party software. So basically Microsoft decided to 'promises' to fix it in an update, so everyone just let's it slide?

    Yeah, I don't think so Microsoft. You already had your chance. And Kaspersky really screwed the pooch here when they backed off before the fix was provided.

  5. AV is basically extortion. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Your subscription is up, that's a nice collection of documents. It'd be a damn shame if something happened to them, not only are we not going to continue protecting you if you don't pay up, we put the screws to Microsoft so they won't step in and help either"

    All 3rd party av in the consumer space basically uses the mafia business model. I'm sorry ms had to back down.

    1. Re:AV is basically extortion. by omnichad · · Score: 1

      Unless the AV companies are creating the malware, your comparison breaks down really quick.

    2. Re:AV is basically extortion. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe next time use a definition of "extortion" that doesn't encompass cable subscription, ISPs, gas, electricity, etc.

    3. Re: AV is basically extortion. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What makes you think they're not?

  6. Time to notify the World Health Organization by hyades1 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Breaking third-party software, then forcing their own version down your throat...that's the symptom.

    Windows 10...THAT is the disease.

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
    1. Re:Time to notify the World Health Organization by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Translation: Derp derp derp.

  7. Notifications are hard? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Is it really that hard to provide notifications and updates in Windows?

  8. promises promises by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    oh look microsoft is making promises, doesnt mean they have to keep them. windows 10 sucks!

    1. Re:promises promises by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > oh look microsoft is making promises, doesnt mean they have to keep them.

      With the kind of background Kaspersky Lab has, breaking promises probably means finding Polonium-210 in your tea.