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In recent months, Microsoft has made a couple of moves to make its Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus software more widely used. First, the company relaxed licensing restrictions, making it permissible to use MSE in businesses with ten or fewer PCs; prior to this change, the software was only licensed for home users. Now, the company has started to distribute the software through its Microsoft Update distribution system.
Last month Ars asked antivirus vendors their thoughts about the expansion of MSE into small businesses. Their responses could best be summed up as "it's good that Microsoft is raising awareness of computer security, but our software is still much better."
The broader distribution of MSE to consumers might not be as welcome. When Ed Bott at ZDNet asked Symantec and McAfee their thoughts, their stance was much the same as it is was before: "Microsoft's software offers only basic protection; ours is so much better, people really should use it." Infoworld is reporting that Trend Micro might not be so conciliatory.
Speaking to Infoworld, Carol Carpenter, the general manager of the consumer and
small business group at Trend Micro said, "Commercializing Windows Update to distribute other software applications raises significant questions about unfair competition." She continued, "Windows Update is a de facto extension of Windows, so to begin delivering software tied to updates has us concerned. Windows Update is not a choice for users, and we believe it should not be used this way."
Trend Micro's response shows a poor understanding of the action Microsoft has taken. MSE is being offered not through Windows Update, but through the related Microsoft Update service. Microsoft Update, which updates a broad range of Microsoft products and occasionally offers new ones, requires a deliberate opt-in: it isn't enabled by default. Moreover, MSE will only be offered to customers who do not have an existing antivirus product installed—and in any case is offered as an optional download.
Trend Micro cries "antitrust" over Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft releasing MSE on Windows Update was of course going to make rival AV companies unhappy. But most people still have no idea what MSE is and while putting it on windows update might help raise awareness, it will only help a tiny bit. For MSE to become a house old name, Microsoft needs to start a wide spread marketing campaign, so that non tech savvy people will learning about it.
The first I ever heard about MSE was in one of my classes in EE. I still don't hear about it too often, I think that Microsoft needs to step up awareness, and other AV needs to stop being little whiners.
It would be interesting to see what effect the normal availablilty of MSE has had on the sales of Trend Micro.
It's entirely possible that Trend are the company taking the biggest hit, their software is not the name on the lips of users when they think about AV solutions, in my experience, not I may add due to any fault in the software it'self but just user perception.
With the Complaints over the bundling of IE that led to the E versions of Win7 in Europe and the browser selection screen it was not The major competitors for IE that were the most vocal, but Opera, which was in fourth place
Just want to see if I understand Trend Micro's position...
They don't like the fact that Microsoft (the company) is offering those who use a Microsoft operating system a free, but optional, Microsoft product.
Using that logic, if Coca-Cola (the company) offers those who buy a six-pack of Coke a coupon to get a free Dr Pepper (also a Coca-Cola product), Pepsi-Cola would have a right to argue that's unfair competition? Really???
Exactly; I don't see what Trend is crying about. MSE is optional. Maybe their problem is having it served via Windows Update?
I understand this is a tech forum but it might be a good thing for one to read up on anti-trust laws and the purposes for which they exist in many countries. The nuances can get lost in oversimplification if one is not careful to compare apples to apples (no reference to Apple intended whatsoever).
There's no point in crying which Trend is doing. If they're so concerned about their popularity going down by MS's this stunt, they should themselves come up with any new idea. Afterall, everything is fair in love, war and business... :P
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