Microsoft enters the "Protection" racket

(Traditional format)

Sat Dec 18 11:57:33 2004 Microsoft enters the "Protection" racket
Posted by Tony Lawrence
Search Keys: security|microsoft
Referencing: http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/12/16/microsoft.spyware.ap/index.html

Why is Microsoft software so insecure? As I do, you probably thought it was a combination of popularity (big target) and sloppy programming. Maybe..

But here we have Microsoft offering up a free taste of software to help fix some of those nasty problems - after the fact. Microsoft has bought some spyware removal software, and says that although they will be handing it out free for the moment, they may charge for it later.

Well, yeah, why not? After all, it's not like it is your fault that the spyware gets on to people's computers. Oh, wait, it IS your fault. Hmmm. So Microsoft makes an insecure product, and rather than fixing it, wants to charge you for tools to help you survive their screwups?

Neat idea! Even better than it looks, because now they can make the product even MORE dangerous, and sell you MORE tools to protect yourself! Suddenly it all becomes clear: this was the plan all along! These guys are brilliant.

This isn't quite like a virus scanning company hiring people to write viri, but it's not that far away from it, either. Microsoft is responsible for its security problems, and it is outrageous that they would even think about charging for anything related to those issues.

Take Control of Upgrading to Snow Leopard

Take Control of Exploring & Customizing Snow Leopard

Jump to Comments

Many of the products and books I review are things I purchased for my own use. Some were given to me specifically for the purpose of reviewing them. I resell or can earn commissions from the sale of some of these items. Links within these pages may be affiliate links that pay me for referring you to them. That's mostly insignificant amounts of money; whenever it is not I have made my relationship plain. I also may own stock in companies mentioned here. If you have any question, please do feel free to contact me.

Specific links that take you to pages that allow you to purchase the item I reviewed are very likely to pay me a commission. Many of the books I review were given to me by the publishers specifically for the purpose of writing a review. These gifts and referral fees do not affect my opinions; I often give bad reviews anyway.

We use Google third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.