Microsoft has announced that it plans to release a corporate anti-malware solution dubbed "Microsoft Client Protection" sometime during 2006. (A closed beta is expected to begin before the end of this year) Microsoft is describing MCP as the obvious choice for "anti-spyware tools, comprehensive virus protection and centralized management" for the corporate world. Microsoft corporate VP Mike Nash stressed that MCP is designed to "provide insightful and prioritized reports and alerts to help IT managers focus precious resources on the right security issues."
MCP will make heavy use of technologies acquired by Microsoft over the last few years. The anti-virus component will be derived from one by GeCAD Software, which Microsoft purchased in 2003. The anti-spyware component will make use of a new 'Rootkit' detection method, and build on lessons learned from the Microsoft Anti-Spyware program thus far. One can also assume Microsoft will use a 'SpyNet' type online community to facilitate rapid responses to malware outbreaks.
This represents a serious threat to traditional security providers like TrendMicro and Symantec. In essence Microsoft is creating a unified product that is sure to be completely customizable and deployable through native Windows management tools. (Microsoft mentions WSUS and Active Directory by name in their press release) This announcement is clearly a big part of Bill Gates push to "improve security and safety for all our customers -- consumers and businesses, regardless of size -- through a balance of technology innovation, guidance and industry leadership."
View: More Information @ eWeek
View: Microsoft Client Protection @ PressPass
View: Bill Gates On Customer Security @ PressPass
MCP will make heavy use of technologies acquired by Microsoft over the last few years. The anti-virus component will be derived from one by GeCAD Software, which Microsoft purchased in 2003. The anti-spyware component will make use of a new 'Rootkit' detection method, and build on lessons learned from the Microsoft Anti-Spyware program thus far. One can also assume Microsoft will use a 'SpyNet' type online community to facilitate rapid responses to malware outbreaks.
This represents a serious threat to traditional security providers like TrendMicro and Symantec. In essence Microsoft is creating a unified product that is sure to be completely customizable and deployable through native Windows management tools. (Microsoft mentions WSUS and Active Directory by name in their press release) This announcement is clearly a big part of Bill Gates push to "improve security and safety for all our customers -- consumers and businesses, regardless of size -- through a balance of technology innovation, guidance and industry leadership."
View: More Information @ eWeek View: Microsoft Client Protection @ PressPass View: Bill Gates On Customer Security @ PressPass
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but we've been looking a few other enterprise malware tools lately, saw surfcontrol's the other day, which was very nice.
From what I've gathered that's exactly what it is.
I feel that this product will do very well. Microsoft's AntiSpyware has already done very well, and it is only a beta product! I expect this tool will work just as well, but will be much more network manageable. I am looking forward to this product; and hope it is priced reasonably.
sonds like thier hiring body guards or something lol
Some features are given out for free, and others use a 'pay for' subscription type of model. It is the way business work.
On the serious side, it is not a 'protection racket' of any sort. All the tools needed to be secure are in an updated Windows system. The biggest security problem in Windows is that many users don't apply updates, have bad passwords, use root/admin accounts daily, or don't use firewalls/antivirus/antispyware and so forth.
So, Microsoft is offering a package/service to aid system admins. They want to charge for this. Sounds fine to me. Yes, the world of Open Source generally works differently, but there is no clause the prohibits charging money and making profit in the GPL, BSD or other popular Open Source licenses.
Last edited by 36818 on 07 Oct 2005 - 13:35
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