By Marguerite Reardon, 17 December 2004 10:20
NEWS
Microsoft announced on Thursday that it has acquired Giant Company Software, a privately owned provider of anti-spyware, anti-pop-up and anti-spam tools.
Microsoft said it plans to offer tools based on Giant's technology that will help protect Windows PCs from spyware and other deceptive software. The technology complements security features available in Windows XP Service Pack 2, the company said.
A beta version of a tool based on Giant's anti-spyware product will be available to Windows customers within one month, according to a statement from Microsoft. This beta version of the software will scan a user's PC to locate spyware and enable customers to remove it, the company said. The tool will also be configurable, so users can block known spyware and other specific unwanted software from being installed on a computer.
The company didn't disclose financial details of the acquisition, nor did it provide a timeline for the introduction of new products based on the technology, apart from the one-month estimate on the release of the beta.
Over the past couple of years, Microsoft's internet browser has been hit hard by security threats. Malicious code writers have targeted security holes in Internet Explorer to launch attacks and install spyware. These attacks are often launched when a victim clicks on a specific web link, opening the door for criminals to take over the person's computer. Once the PC is compromised, the attacker often can access information stored on the computer, load other software on the machine and delete files.
Mike Nash, vice-president of Microsoft's Security Business and Technology unit, said in a statement: "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. 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."
Marguerite Reardon writes for CNET News.com.
Comments
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1. anonymous
I'm no Microsoft fan, but if they include spyware blocking software with Windows, won't there be another anti-trust case from other vendors?
It's the same as them previously buying the anti-virus software company. If they include that then people will complain.
Surely the best thing for them to do is to make Windows more secure in the first place so it's harder for spyware etc to install and work?
If they did then they wouldn't need to buy specialist software houses to sort out the problems with their own OSes.
2. Simon
Most Spyware is free to a limited extent anyway.
The weakest link in computers is the user and we all know they do daft things and the expect IT people to solve it.
Embedded spyware is an added extra. I have more that one spyware program, so there is no problem installing a third party spyware program to run alongside MS's version.
3. John Taylor
wow!
Yet again Bill and the team amaze us with the purchase of a major leading specialised organisation!
Nearly as World shattering as when they bought GEDAC and the World Renowned RAV (Romanian Anti-Virus) product, whatever happened to that??
Spyware needs a huge reseacrh team if you are going to do it properly. CA bought Pest Patrol becuase it was a leader, had a huge research team (hundreds of people!)and offered a Centrally Managed Corporate Solution.
Giant are nearly as well known in Spyware as Romanian Anti-Virus was in Milwaukee!
http://antispyware.topsoftwareinfo.com/
Of course, if you really wanted other things a Company was doing, wanted to look good, and wanted a lot of cheap marketing, you might buy a Company where you never intended to use one of their products but the publicity was great!
Cynical Sod
4. Nasser Mustafa
I think this article has something to do with Microsoft and AOL trying to test beta e-mail by asking people to forward an e-mail that beeing sent to me. By forwarding this e-mail to a friend you get paid 245$, and 243$ if your friend forwarded, and 241$ if the third friend forwarded etc. if you want me to forward that e-mail to you, let me know