Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has acquired GIANT Company Software Inc., a provider of top-rated anti-spyware and Internet security products. Microsoft will use intellectual property and technology assets from the acquisition to provide Microsoft® Windows® customers with new tools to help protect them from the threat of spyware and other deceptive software. In addition, key personnel from GIANT Company will be joining Microsoft's security efforts.
"Spyware is a serious and growing problem for PC users, and customers have made it clear that they want Microsoft to deliver effective solutions to protect against the threat," said Mike Nash, corporate vice president of the Security Business and Technology Unit at Microsoft. "Through this acquisition we're excited to be able to provide near-term relief to Windows customers by offering new technology to help keep spyware and other deceptive software off their PCs."
News source: Microsoft Press Release
"Spyware is a serious and growing problem for PC users, and customers have made it clear that they want Microsoft to deliver effective solutions to protect against the threat," said Mike Nash, corporate vice president of the Security Business and Technology Unit at Microsoft. "Through this acquisition we're excited to be able to provide near-term relief to Windows customers by offering new technology to help keep spyware and other deceptive software off their PCs."
News source: Microsoft Press Release
Virtual seating for this event will open 30 minutes before the scheduled broadcast time.
Barb Bowman is a Windows XP Most Valued Professional (MVP) and has been a regular contributor to the Microsoft Windows XP Expert Zone Community since the launch of Windows XP in 2001. She enjoys sharing her own experiences and insights into today’s leading edge technologies. She is a product development manager for Comcast High-Speed Internet, but her views here are strictly personal.
MS/GIANT = MSG (My Stolen GUI) ...less filling, tastes Gates
Oracle/Peoplesoft = OraSoft "That's a nice mouthful of software!"
Sprint/NEXTEL = Sextel "Hey big boy, call me for a good time...but it'll cost ya!"
Symantec/Veritas = Vermantec "Get the latest bugs with Live Update that's Backed Up"
Users should have a choice, which isn't always the case with Microsoft.
Or maybe some goodies coming for Outlook 12 or whatever
Edit: Argh, read this as spam for some reason... Too much news about spam lately
I hope this comes bundled for free (with a full uninstaller if needed). Say goodbye to those spyware-infested computers!
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,118362,00.asp
Article proves how weak the $$ anti-spyware solutions are compared to spybot. Although I did not see the name "GIANT" in the article, I doubt they have a tool as effective as spybot since spybot is regularly updated and actually WORKS as opposed to nearly every other tool.
It keeps everything in good shape for me. IMHO, it's one, if not the best one out there.
http://spywarewarrior.com/asw-test-guide.htm
I personally use about 5 antispyware programs....
from http://www.giantcompany.com/
Sounds Good, but as I can read from the Giant site. This is not going to be free .
While it would be nice to see it as a free "upgrade" to Windows I doubt this will happen.
I mean what would you rather do... wear a bullet proof vest or face a gun without bullets?
Stop putting the cart before your horse Microsoft!
Really microsoft gotta fix those permission
Spyware isn't an "infection", it is something that has ulterior motives that are not clearly disclosed (if at all) to send personal information that you may not want others to know.
Microsoft can't stop this, most programs either include it in their license agreement (Kazaa etc.) or actually run another installer (DivX). Seeing as most people click Next, Next... they can't stop it w/o limiting free choice. So in a sense, the users allow it to be installed, because if it's in the license agreement, and you agree, it's your own fault. But some of the other ones are a little annoying (web based).
Last edited by 36818 on 17 Dec 2004 - 13:30
if you have, you wouldnt be saying that.
STV
Not everything is a "Microsoft Plot". Maybe a thicker grade of tinfoil for that hat, next time.
Last edited by 33613 on 17 Dec 2004 - 01:31
ms makes great software, and I see this as a good move. Something to integrate within the OS
They make great software, but forget to update half of it... or when they do it becomes way too bloated, like Internet Explorer, MSN Messenger, Office .... the better versions of those are Firefox, aMSN, Open Office, etc.
I honestly liked MSN Messenger when it was at version 5 .. and IE was great until it started letting spyware galore in without even needing to accept anything (not since SP2 though, but what about all the win2k or 98 users?). Office I have nothing to gripe about, except that they could make it lighter weight but have all the same features, much like Open Office.
jas8522
I just wonder what'll happen next. It'll be interesting to see how this develops.
See here.
Very soon, they will be integrating this shi+ into longhorn and force other smaller anti-spy co. to go bust. Spybot will definitely thrash their asses on this one. Giant is pathetic compared to Spybot.
STV
I can't understand why people are complaining about this. All it does is make it easier for home users (people who don't care about security) to become secure out of the box.
That about shows your ignorance. Spybot has developed far away from just a simple spyware scanner. It includes a whole series of solutions from IE protector to file shredders and registry monitor. Up till now, there is NO other program that comes with that many features. Take the time to d/l and use before blabbering rubbish please.
The point is that there is a different in financial support and commitment. Spybot is written by a couple enthusiasts (hell it's riddled with dedications to his girlfriend!) who don't have millions of dollars behind them. They don't (necessarily) have the time committed to development of new signatures, and there is no kind of on going support assurance that corporations need before commiting to a product. It may have decent sets of technologies, but at the end of the day, competing with large corporations in a very proactive market is hard. Do you not think that's why we don't see free-written-by-enthusiasts antivirus products competing with McAfee etc. Malware and virus research takes a LOT of time and effort.
jas8522
Having MS (both the household name and the finance) backing the already great GIANT will only make them better, that's a very tough combination for an enthusiasts product to compete with, no matter how dedicated.
Free stuff like spybot are updated very frequently, you certainly do not need $$$ like M$ to maintain a decent product. Most corporations are just too scared to try "unbranded" products. That is why even in the face of facts like how Linux is more secured, you will still see this bunch of clowns buying M$ inferior products.
Still, I hope this doesn't choke out the small buisnesses that really have been the innovators in this market. I hope that Microsoft provides a good solution, and that small buisnesses provide a better solution.
I personally don't see where it would choke out anyone. They [Microsoft] provide basic features that can be replaced with more robust 3rd party applications if the user chooses to do so.
I think they should be developing their own solutions as well. Like they used to do way back when but it's cheaper [these days] to buy a company and aquire the technology than to spend countless dollars on R&D to develope your own.
All flaws aside, I think they do a pretty good job at delivering what they promise. I only hope that the purchase of GIANT will do justice to that software.
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