You'll probably get it even if you don't want it
Microsoft’s recent acquisition of anti-virus software maker Sybari and the acquisition of GeCad in 2003 has lead to some speculation about how Microsoft will distribute their upcoming anti-virus program. It is most widely believed that an anti-virus program will be a part of the next version of Windows code named ‘Longhorn’ by the development team at Microsoft slated for release at the end of 2006. It is believed by some that integrating anti-virus protection into the Windows operating system will re-ignite hostility between Microsoft and other software vendors. Mainly due to Microsoft’s using their dominant position in operating system software to squeeze out other competing application programs such as web browsers, e-mail clients, Instant Messaging programs out of the market.
Another approach for Microsoft to put out their anti-virus that may prevent another run in with the United States Department of Justice is to sell it in retail stores along side other anti-virus products such as Symantec’s Norton Anti-Virus and McAfee’s VirusScan. This gives the consumer the chance to choose what anti-virus program they want. This way if Microsoft’s anti-virus becomes dominant it will be because it is the best. The CEO of Symantec has already stated that his company will not be running off to the Department of Justice in the event that Microsoft bundles their anti-virus with the future release of Windows. While Symantec may be one of the most popular vendors of Anti-Virus products, they aren’t the only one. If one or more of the other providers of anti-virus products makes a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice Microsoft and their army of lawyers can expect another anti-trust trial.
If Microsoft is providing an Anti-Virus because they believe it is for the greater good for the computing public and not another source of profit, then provide it as a separate but free download similar to AVG or Avast. This will also give people the chance to choose what Anti-Virus program they want to use.
Given the fact that Microsoft has taken two anti-virus software companies out of the market by buying them goes to show that Microsoft will probably revert back to their anti-competitive business practices that spent five years defending in federal court. Competing unfairly against the other anti-virus programs could be a secondary motivation for Microsoft to integrate anti-virus protection into the Windows operating system. Microsoft will probably use the integrated anti-virus to get people to buy the upcoming version of Windows. Many consumers were slow to upgrade from previous versions of Windows to Windows XP. It took about two years after release of Windows XP before half the web browsing public was using it.
Bundling Anti-Virus with an operating system is something that actually isn’t new for Microsoft. Back in 1994 when the words nerd and geek were used to describe people who used the Internet, Microsoft released MS-DOS it came their first attempt at an anti-virus program. PC users largely ignored it because it left a lot to be desired.
Something interesting to watch for is if Microsoft charges for anti-virus protection or will they bundle it with their existing server products. Corporate anti-virus solutions are already the biggest revenue generator for many companies that supply computer network security products and services. For providers of corporate anti-virus products, getting Microsoft as the competitor is scary even more if Anti-virus is bundled the operating system for the corporate server.
The Microsoft Anti-virus offering is going to be the most closely watched product launch in the past several years. If previous history is any indication, the first version or two probably will be rather forgettable, just like the first couple of versions of Windows or Internet Explorer. Once Microsoft gets it right, all the anti-virus vendors will has something huge to contend with. Bundling anti-virus with an upcoming version of Windows will show Microsoft reverting back to one of their most effective marketing strategies. It’s also the marketing strategy, which is ethically questionable and has already found to be illegal. Despite that, selling an operating system with a built in anti-virus is probably the best way to sell an operating system.