Microsoft Accused of 'Unfair Security Behavior'
Security firm Kaspersky Lab has filed a formal complaint accusing Microsoft of acting unfairly over the way it promotes its own security products. Microsoft says it is acting to keep Windows users protected.
Kaspersky previously complained to the Federal Anti-monpoly Service in its home country of Russia. That led to several changes to Microsoft's policy, including rewording a message that suggested users uninstall third-party security software and use the built-in Windows Defender instead.
Now Kaspersky has taken the issue to the European Commission, which oversees competition issues across 28 countries. That's potentially a very big deal as Microsoft has previously been in trouble with the commission over including its own Internet Explorer browser and Windows Media Player as default tools in Windows, something rival software firms said was an unfair advantage.
Third-Party Tools Quietly Disabled
Kaspersky says Microsoft is unfairly using its position "to fiercely promote its own - inferior - security software (Windows Defender) at the expense of users' previously self-chosen security solution." The company makes several claims on unfair actions, including:
- Microsoft's own security software is built in-to Windows 10 and is difficult or impossible to switch off or remove.
- Windows displays a message saying "You should only run programs that come from publishers you trust" when users try to run third-party security tools. Kaspersky argues that unfairly raises doubts about its software.
- Microsoft makes it too hard for security companies to warn users when the license on their software has expired and they are no longer protected.
- Microsoft doesn't do enough to make clear that it sometimes switches off third-party security tools during an upgrade to Windows 10.
- Microsoft doesn't give security firms enough time to deal with updates to Windows that could stop their software working properly. (Source: kaspersky.com)
Microsoft: We're Ready To Talk
For its part, Microsoft says its "Microsoft's primary objective is to keep customers protected. We are confident that the security features of Windows 10 comply with competition laws. And we will answer any questions regulators may have." It also says it has offered to meet with Kaspersky staff to discuss the issue and had no reply. (Source: theverge.com)
What's Your Opinion?
Do you use third-party security tools in Windows? Was Microsoft right to have its own security software running by default in Windows 10? Is it right for Microsoft to make certain everyone running Windows 10 has at least some security protection even if that might hurt the business of security software makers?
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Comments
If only the opposite were true
Considering how insecure Windows XP was and all the condemnation that followed, it is amazing to see antivirus companies cry fowl that Microsoft is doing "too much" to protect its users. If anything, they are crying "fowl" because their products are no longer needed, and Microsoft's momentum is finally eating away at their profits. Sorry, but I don't have any sympathy for these companies - especially when most of them use borderline scareware tactics to get users to pay for their antivirus subscription when it's simply no longer needed. (Besides that, free antivirus works just fine as I've previously mentioned!)
That said, all the points mentioned in the bullets make 110% sense. Let's take a look here:
"Microsoft's own security software is built in-to Windows 10 and is difficult or impossible to switch off or remove." That is good news - most users either aren't aware or don't have enough protection as it is - Windows 10 runs secure with its own antivirus, even if you don't install your own. I don't see any issue here. Also, having a second opinion with Windows Defender running in the background is likely a good thing, in case your antivirus doesn't catch an infection.
"Windows displays a message saying 'You should only run programs that come from publishers you trust' when users try to run third-party security tools." Such warnings make sense to me - especially considering the market for FAKE antivirus products! I don't see why this is even an issue.
"Microsoft makes it too hard for security companies to warn users when the license on their software has expired and they are no longer protected." Most antivirus companies scare their users into requiring "protection" when most of the protection is overkill and slows down the computer to a crawl. That said, Windows 7, 8 and 10 (and especially 10) are very secure and don't require as much "protection" as the good ol' Windows XP days, which is where most of these "security" products came from. As for subscriptions - sending an email reminder should be a sufficient, or keep the client on a recurring billing system and let them cancel it when they don't want it anymore.
"Microsoft doesn't do enough to make clear that it sometimes switches off third-party security tools during an upgrade to Windows 10." They shouldn't have to. Most security programs interfere with the way Windows is installed - shutting it off is the only option.
"Microsoft doesn't give security firms enough time to deal with updates to Windows that could stop their software working properly." That's the nature of the beast. If you invent the platform (Windows 10) and it goes through its own security changes because of certain threats, you need to adopt. There will always be a 'learning curve' so to speak, where security companies are going to need to catch up and rewrite their code to make way for these changes.
Those are my two cents.
I always laugh, when a
I always laugh, when a genuine Microsoft product is being installed, and the message about "Do you trust this?" comes up - sometimes I feel like "no, but I will click on Agree to the Terms I did not even read", LOL.
Couldn't agree more. Thanks
Couldn't agree more. Thanks to your advice, I got rid of Norton Internet Security and replaced it with free Avast. I no longer pay a hefty annual subscription price and I've never looked back. If Avast ever stops functioning for whatever reason, it's good to know that Defender will kick in and fill the void. By the way, I used Kasperky before Norton. My association with Kaspersky ended when I could no longer deal with being plagued by one issue after another.
Totally agree with you Dennis
The haters are always complaining and bashing Microsoft, but continue to use their products.
Microsoft Accused of 'Unfair Security Behavior'
I have used many antivirus solutions over the years including Norton, McAfee, Eset Nod 32 and have at least tried most of the free offerings as well. It seems I was always beset with virii.
When I initially upgraded to Windows 7 Ultimate, I kicked them all to the curb. (Although I did maintain my subscription to ESET until I felt the built in Windows product was doing what it was supposed to.)
I haven't looked back since, and through the years I ran Windows 7 and now Windows 10, I haven't had a single virus. Kudos to Microsoft for an effective solution without the huge footprint that other companies seem to find so necessary.
Kaspersky et all need to suck it up and develop something that is actually competitive before squawking!!!
3RD party just get it wrong
I've preferred my software to allow the user to change it the way I want it. Security suites are resource hogs and allow for little customization. I've been using MSE/Defender since XP. It doesn't interfere.
Then....3rd party providers
Then....3rd party providers slam MS for being vulnerable, even blaming MS for the 3rd party software not keeping up with threats sometimes.
Now....MS takes a stance that they will be more secure, and make the user CHOOSE not to be secure. That's the new default. 3rd parties now complain that it's unfair.
Mr Faas has everything right.
The only thing I can add is that MS finally got serious about meeting customers' needs. They were lacking and their competition began to leave them behind. How many Mac users liked to tout being virus-proof? MS decided to do something about it. More power to them.
Hmm Microsoft ?
It seems to me that Microsoft is trying to take over all the Computing world.
I remember it stated with the messenger wars. Then the office war, now it is
doing the same with Antivirus companies but it may be a Good thing as I loved
Microsoft Security Essentials for Years and stopped all the bad crap, It was
My number 1 top rated Antivirus. A small foot print and Free. as I tried and
bought a lot from A to U. So maybe it is a good thing that MS wants to take
over, or is it all part of a another new push to an OOP operating system too ?
(One Language and 1 OS for all platforms). Pretty soon Microsoft may make their
own PC too and call it 'Window" and kill all of the brand name PC's, like HP,
Dell, AMD and more. Only Microsoft knows what lurks in their thoughts they are
a legend in their own mind. Look at 10. it seems to be an advertising medium,
selling, the videos, apps and music in it, as SOPA blocks everything free.