Jim Jamieson
Province
Microsoft Corp. and online security make strange bedfellows in the consciousness of most computer users.
It’s thanks to a series of vulnerabilities suffered by the global technology firm’s flagship product — its Windows operating system.
Now the Redmond, Wash.,-based software giant has vowed to erase that knock with a renewed push to increase security for business and consumer clients.
Besides a raft of new security features in its new Windows Vista, Microsoft also entered the so-called “PC Care” market in competition with the likes of McAfee and Symantec’s Norton products.
Launched in Canada Jan. 30, the new product is called Windows Live OneCare. It’s an anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing suite of applications that includes a firewall and data backup and performance tuneups.
Unlike most security products, OneCare offers all its features in a one-size-fits-all package — which sells for $60 and a $60 annual fee for virus definition and other updates.
“We wanted to provide a one-stop shop for users,” said Bruce Cowper, Microsoft senior program manager, Security Initiative.
“The goal was to make this a quality experience and something that can be used along with the improved security in Vista.”
© The Vancouver Province 2007
