Wednesday, June 21st 2017
After Kaspersky's Shots Across the Bow, Microsoft Reacts
You probably have heard about security giant Kaspersky having previously fired some shots (figurative ones, which translated into a very real antitrust complaint recently) towards Microsoft. The gist of the issue stands on Windows' handling of third party security software suites, with Windows sometimes removing those suits' installations on basis of "incompatibility" with more recent Windows versions. Other points of conflict mention the coloring in Windows Defender, where a user's security status appears as "not green", which leads customers towards believing that even though their systems have a third party security software installed, only Windows Defender can really and fully protect them (which is visually conveyed by the Window adopting a green coloring when customers select to activate Windows Defender.)
Granted, Microsoft's response was indirect - probably looking to distance themselves from the matter as much as possible - but it was a response of sorts. In a blog post, Microsoft reiterates that Windows Defender is shipping with Windows so users have a fallback protection on at all times, before they have been able to install their third-party security program of choice, or even in case such a protection expires for any reason. In a blog post, Microsoft states that it is in the consumers' best interest to always have an extra security solution being available without user input, so as to reduce exposure time while customers look for and choose another (or the same) security third party.
The company mentioned the WannaCry debacle, and how it is their mission to provide a full-blown, safe computing environment for users, on top of which they can then add third party solutions. Remember the browser antitrust investigation which resulted in Microsoft including a browser choice window for new installations? That could be one of the possible future solutions by Microsoft to avoid an antitrust investigation - if it really is found that Microsoft is using somewhat underhanded tactics. But that, like most things, is open to debate.
Sources:
Microsoft Blogs, Tom's Hardware, Tom's Hardware
The company mentioned the WannaCry debacle, and how it is their mission to provide a full-blown, safe computing environment for users, on top of which they can then add third party solutions. Remember the browser antitrust investigation which resulted in Microsoft including a browser choice window for new installations? That could be one of the possible future solutions by Microsoft to avoid an antitrust investigation - if it really is found that Microsoft is using somewhat underhanded tactics. But that, like most things, is open to debate.
36 Comments on After Kaspersky's Shots Across the Bow, Microsoft Reacts
storedefault apps you cant uninstall, its no wonder m$ still gets hit with anti-trust threats. It really m$'s way to avoid letting consumers Opt-Out of allow them to collect personal data.Opt-Out; m$'s nasty word of the day.Reads: nope you cant shut this off, Cortana wont like it.
Cortana's a b**** to get rid of, though. -_-
because one power shell command is hard
Last time I touched them was when XP and vista were out.
I really don't like Kaspersky.
hes been bitching about loosing his market share since the release of windows 7
The reality is that Microsoft has removed programs from systems when upgrading from Windows 7 or Windows 8.x to Windows 10 even if those programs would be perfectly functional after the upgrade. Its easy for Microsoft to say that said programs wouldn't be functional or they wouldn't be supported and many people would believe it but there is evidence to the contrary.
Not that hard to see this is the case. Might want to step away from the ledge.
But then, maybe that's the I.T. guy in me coming out.
completely kasperskys fault
again ceo has been pissing at moaning about the evil windows defender since windows 7 when people stopped using his garbage
Windows is literally Microsoft's baby. If they want to offer any software that is part of that product/service, they can do it. As long as Microsoft doesn't prohibit you from using something else, there's nothing wrong with including a solution of their own. Microsoft's blog entry reiterates that is Microsoft's policy on the matter: Windows Defender will remain to be included as part of the service but you can install/use something else if you want.
Frankly, there's nothing to see here unless Kaspersky files suit. Kaspersky might win in the EU (again) but I doubt they'll win in the USA. Without Windows, the market for Kaspersky wouldn't exist in the first place.
For all this to work, people have to put egos aside and actually work better together, there seems to be too much "my way or the highway" developers there.