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| Thread ID: 57867 | 2005-05-14 22:32:00 | Microsoft to Test Computer-Protection Subscription Service | Scouse (83) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 355209 | 2005-05-14 22:32:00 | Associated Press Saturday, May 14, 2005 REDMOND, Wash. -- Microsoft Corp. is rolling out a test version of a subscription service that aims to protect computer users from viruses and spyware and provide tools to make their machines faster. The Redmond-based software company is distributing Windows OneCare to its 60,000 employees this week. It plans to run a larger, invitation-only test this summer, then launch a full-scale test by year's end. The company has not said when it would release the subscription service to consumers, or how much it would cost. "We're going to take our time. We want to make sure we get this right the first time," said Ryan Hamlin, general manager of Microsoft's technology care and safety group. Microsoft has spent three years developing the service, which would run only on the operating system's newest version: Windows XP with Service Pack 2, released last summer. Microsoft's entry into the antivirus business follows its recent acquisition of two antivirus companies. The company already makes a free anti-spyware tool available for download, and Windows comes with firewall protection. Among OneCare's features is two-way firewall protection. A green icon would be displayed if the service didn't detect any problems. A yellow icon would indicate a relatively low-priority problem, such as some files that needed to be backed up. A red icon would signal a virus or some other critical problem that needed fixing. PC users could set up OneCare to periodically perform maintenance work such as cleaning up disks, repairing files and defragmenting hard drives so that bits of data aren't inefficiently spread out. The service would keep track of how long it takes a computer to boot up and pin down problems that might be making the machine run more slowly. And consumers could opt to have their files automatically backed up on CD or DVD. Microsoft risks alienating security vendors in releasing its own, competing products, but if it doesn't do more to stem Internet attacks, it also risks further alienating customers unhappy with the multitude of threats already facing its ubiquitous software. Microsoft has downplayed the competitive angle, saying it is simply responding to requests from customers for more protection options. :confused: |
Scouse (83) | ||
| 355210 | 2005-05-14 23:16:00 | I was reading about this the other day. It will be a subcribed service but this OneCare package will look after your antivirus, anti-spyware, firewall (bi-directional), and criticial updates all in one hit which is kept up to date automatically. As described above it will also look after the health of the computer with defragging, file clean up, and backups. For those people who cannot look after their own system from sheer ignorance or simply don't care, this could be the solution. The security component of OneCare should go a long way towards all those zombies, pest infected, virus infected machines that spew out yet more rubbish onto the internet. You will still need to get people to cough up some dosh for this which may put off people. Ideally, people should not have to pay for this service so that their Window machines can be more secure. I can imagine the AV companies not liking MS entering into their field of business, but with so many people who still can't look after their machines I guess it gets to this "hold onto their hands all the way" angle. User education would fix a lot of these problems MS is trying to address. Would I like a program that had so much control over your machine with all the "housework" it will be doing and whatever other function it may perform without your knowledge? No. |
Jen (38) | ||
| 355211 | 2005-05-15 04:46:00 | Oh god. MS is still trying to rule the world.... Me, I bet it works as good as all their other stuff. That is to say, badly. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 355212 | 2005-05-15 06:12:00 | While there is some merit in having an all in one solution from the "average" users point to view, this sort of package will do nothing to educate people . Not that that is MS's primary focus, boosting bottom line is, there is no other reason for this package . Good move on the marketing departemnts part though, of course customers have a "need" for greater security and have "asked" for it . Why not make some dosh out of faulty software if you can, brilliant . And, they still can't risk the monolithic approach, one little glitch and your shot . On a differnet note, some people have already suggested that an adjustment to the OneCare name might be in order . How does WonKer sound :lol: |
Murray P (44) | ||
| 355213 | 2005-05-15 07:05:00 | this is good most people dont want to be educated on computer security, they just wantr to use it for the purpose they brought it for, and i think it wouldnt be to run security programs on. MS should be giving this away with there autoupdate, | plod (107) | ||
| 355214 | 2005-05-15 13:53:00 | MS is now selling something that by rights should be part of Windows already. I bet they will also use it to weed out the Windows pirates too... I think it is high time for Windows users to stand up and say enough is enough. | vinref (6194) | ||
| 355215 | 2005-05-15 20:50:00 | This is a whole new moral issue which doesn't sit well with me at all . If say Ford/Holden sold you a car which every now and then have a major safety defect breakdown due to manufacturing faults (like the steering issues last year) you would expect the manufacturer to provide a free repair of the defect, which is the case with most car manufacturers . Built into most cars are diagnostic equipment which checks the "health" of your car, in the form of idiot lights for brake fluid, water temp, etc . so as to prevent their product from failing on you, and in certain cases proactively prevent damage to the product . Now imagine them expecting you to employ and pay a full-time mechanic to keep an eye out for possible problems while using their product on a daily basis . . . M$ wants you to pay for their "mechanic" to check their product while you are cruising the Info super-highway . How absurd, either fix the defects, or provide the tools to monitor/fix the problem areas in the product for free . |
BoboTheClown (5652) | ||
| 355216 | 2005-05-15 21:01:00 | If say Ford/Holden sold you a car which every now and then have a major safety defect breakdown due to manufacturing faults (like the steering issues last year) you would expect the manufacturer to provide a free repair of the defect, which is the case with most car manufacturers. I don't think that's a good analogy, because when you buy a car you're still expected to pay for maintenance items, as well as repairs once it's out of warranty. |
Greg (193) | ||
| 355217 | 2005-05-16 00:54:00 | I don't think that's a good analogy, because when you buy a car you're still expected to pay for maintenance items, as well as repairs once it's out of warranty. Maybe, but Windows is vulnerable out-of-the box, not because of wear and tear, or whether it is old and outdated. A better analogy would be: You get sold a car with no locks or security system so that anyone can jump in and drive off, most of the time with you in it. They can even look through your wallet and your bag and diary with you sitting there in the driver's seat. Sometimes they change the gears, grab the steering wheel and hit the brakes. You have to rent the locks separately on a subscription basis, plus you cannot park the car where thieves hang out. If it gets stolen, then you did park it where theives hang out so it is your fault. |
vinref (6194) | ||
| 355218 | 2005-05-16 09:30:00 | This isn't going to help those that need help most i . e . the ones who darn well can't afford to buy the latest OS never mind pay for a subscription service . Antivirus software is based on Trust, the software has access to all your files, do you Trust MS that much? Which software is it going to decide is risky/might contain spyware, Open source / free Office suites, Open source browsers / anything that directly competes with them? Security should be built into the OS not an extra monthly account to pay for life . :2cents: |
Sue (33) | ||
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