Panda wants Ballot Screen for Windows Security Software

[G1LLY]

PandaLabs has called for a Windows security software ballot, mirroring the way alternative browsers are now offered to Windows users.

Microsoft recently decided to offer its free antivirus software, Microsoft Security Essentials, via Windows Update - angering rival security firms such as Panda and Trend Micro.

In an exclusive interview with PC Pro, PandaLab's technical director Luis Corrons has now called for Windows users to be given a choice of security software.

"We think this is not fair," said Corrons, referring to the inclusion of Microsoft Security Essentials in Windows Update. "It is trying, somehow, to bundle the software it develops and take out competitors.

Read more on this at pcpro.co.uk

 

[Klaw117]

PandaLabs has called for a Windows security software ballot, mirroring the way alternative browsers are now offered to Windows users.

Microsoft recently decided to offer its free antivirus software, Microsoft Security Essentials, via Windows Update - angering rival security firms such as Panda and Trend Micro.

In an exclusive interview with PC Pro, PandaLab's technical director Luis Corrons has now called for Windows users to be given a choice of security software.

"We think this is not fair," said Corrons, referring to the inclusion of Microsoft Security Essentials in Windows Update. "It is trying, somehow, to bundle the software it develops and take out competitors.

What the hell...are these people high or something? Since when does offering MSE through Windows Update come even close to bundling? The offer to install it is optional and you don't even see the offer by default. What the hell are these guys smoking?

 

[Lordbob75]

:roflmao:

~Lordbob

 

[yowanvista]

The last time it was browsers, now AVs, whats next?

 

[z3r010]

The last time it was browsers, now AVs, whats next?

Ballot screen when you start installing Windows asking if you want Linsux instead?

 

[Lordbob75]

The last time it was browsers, now AVs, whats next?

Ballot screen when you start installing Windows asking if you want Linsux instead?

Technically, you would have to include Mac OS on there, except that it wouldn't work...

~Lordbob

 

[swarfega]

I think the browser ballot has proven that it makes hardly any difference.

 

[Barman58]

What the hell are these guys smoking?

 

[Barman58]

On a serious note

A simple question should do it for the average windows user .....

"You are not running an anti-virus program which is a bad thing. would you like Microsoft to supply you with an antivirus designed by them to integrate fully with their operating system for free or would you like to pay £41.99 to install one from a company you've never heard of?"

Wonder what the response would be ?

 

[Win7User512]

And I want 10 million dollars. This is ridiculous. I can more understand the browsers since that comes installed. But a voluntary download? Come on.

 

[Klaw117]

What the hell are these guys smoking?

View attachment 112487

OMG, this just screams awesomeness!

 

[mikedl]

I can see no one here yet understands the nuances in the anti trust laws that are a part of almost every country's laws.

Certainly, MS has the right to present an anti-virus, free of charge, tacked onto the OS. They haven't done it up 'till now. What if they put all of the other AV providers out of business, eventually? Heck, that would be great! Then they could charge whatever they want afterward...

 

[Dwarf]

Here we go again. :mad2:

 

[Lordbob75]

Certainly, MS has the right to present an anti-virus, free of charge, tacked onto the OS. They haven't done it up 'till now. What if they put all of the other AV providers out of business, eventually? Heck, that would be great! Then they could charge whatever they want afterward...

And then someone would make one and sell it for less, and remove MS's.

~Lordbob

 

[fseal]

Panda should be GRATEFUL that microsoft even gives them a buisness model that allows them to make money in the first place. I'm sure they'd be complaining just as much if MS came out with a new OS that made Virii obsolete...

I still wonder how Open Source software is not considered "anti-trust" all by itself. Or any of the other free AV programs, why doesn't panda go after them for giving away "their" profit for free? If Adobe makes a version of PS for Linux, can they sue the various linux distros for including The GIMP for free?

Somehow Norton is doing pretty good. Could it be, you know, that they actually get "Compete or die" and have come up with a much more value added product that's worth paying for? Like to how Photoshop is far more valuable than the free MS paint or The GIMP and is worth paying for so they don't need to whine?

Naaaaaw couldn't be any of that.

 

[mikedl]

Certainly, MS has the right to present an anti-virus, free of charge, tacked onto the OS. They haven't done it up 'till now. What if they put all of the other AV providers out of business, eventually? Heck, that would be great! Then they could charge whatever they want afterward...

And then someone would make one and sell it for less, and remove MS's.

~Lordbob

Lordbob75, that is a wonderfully optimistic view. Once the installed base reaches a critical level, the idea of real competition is diminished immeasurably.

 

[Barman58]

think this link may provide a little insight into why Panda as a company are looking for any unfair advantage they can get

Panda Security - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The company appears to have falling sales and internal problems, the free advertising that a ballot would provide (if they were even included in the ballot, which would have to be limited to the major products), might be their last chance to stem their recent decline.

 

[Fayla]

Competition is good for everyone. Right now all the current anti virus solutions are rather lacking in my opinion. The Internet could be a much safer place.

 

[Trucidation]

I can see no one here yet understands the nuances in the anti trust laws that are a part of almost every country's laws.

Explain how a voluntary, optional install which you need to go download - it doesn't even come with the friggen' OS - is anticompetitive.

 

[mikedl]

I can see no one here yet understands the nuances in the anti trust laws that are a part of almost every country's laws.

Explain how a voluntary, optional install which you need to go download - it doesn't even come with the friggen' OS - is anticompetitive.

It's known as a captive audience and taking advantage of that audience. It has been done in the past. If it weren't, there would never have been the necessity of anti trust laws that are a part of practically every-country-in-the-world's laws.

Look, I'm all in favor of competition. It's one of the cornerstones that keeps MS improving Windows. Many of the user interface features in Win 7 appeared first in some of the Ubuntu and Kubuntu releases.

MS has such market penetration that they can steer the course of their fortunes regarding ancillary appendages to their OS if they so desire and are left unchecked.