Rumours are rife this week that Microsoft is about to make perhaps its most significant acquisition yet - antivirus giant McAfee - formerly known as Network Associates.
The deal would not be the biggest in Microsoft's history but in terms of cementing the Seattle behemoth's intent to barge its way into the lucrative security space, it would represent one of its most notable.
Taking a leaf out of the 'how to deal with rumours' handbook, McAfee came straight out and denied everything. Which either means nothing or everything. Companies would deny it was happening whether it was or wasn't at this stage in the negotiations - in fact the acquisition possibly even depends upon it. Clear? As mud, right?
What is clear is that Microsoft is expected by all and sundry to make further acquisitions in the security space.
Just today one security vendor reminded this author (as if such reminders were necessary) of the irony that Microsoft may become a dominant player in a market where the majority of flaws are Microsoft flaws.
This time last year, Gene Hodges, president of McAfee, told silicon.com: "A lot of consumers are going to have real concerns about the company which is creating all the holes becoming the company which is patching and protecting these holes."
Only 12 months ago, Microsoft bought Romanian AV firm GeCAD and at the time nobody in the industry thought it would end there. Some even argued that Microsoft was merely buying the company to close down its support operation for open-source users, before the serious business of a move into security began.
But somehow you get the feeling it will happen. It almost can't not happen - Microsoft will become a dominant player in security. Be it through acquisition of McAfee (it's way too early to tell) or the technologies of dozens of smaller vendors, it will most probably happen and have a massive impact on the consumer desktop market.
Bundled security products: did somebody say anticompetitive?
