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Symantec: Our security savvy will beat Microsoft
CNET ^ | Tue May 09

Posted on 05/09/2006 11:21:05 AM PDT by nickcarraway

SAN FRANCISCO--Symantec will fight off Microsoft's security software challenge by being better at coming up with new ideas, the company's CEO said Monday. John Thompson vowed that it would put more resources into research and development over the coming the year, speaking to reporters at the Symantec's annual Vision conference here.

"Our strategy is to out-innovate Microsoft. We know more about security than they ever will," Thompson said.

Microsoft's development of security products for its upcoming Vista update to the Windows operating system prompted Symantec to be bullish about taking on the software giant.

"Competition with Microsoft is inevitable, given the way the tom-toms are beating at the moment," Thompson said.

Microsoft is developing Windows Live OneCare, a security service aimed at consumers that is scheduled for U.S. commercial release in June. It combines antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall software with backup features and several tune-up tools for Windows PCs. Client Protection, Microsoft's enterprise product, has no release date as yet and is in limited beta testing.

It's not the first time that Cupertino, Calif.-based Symantec has thrown down the gauntlet to Microsoft. Last month, Thompson branded the software giant a "Johnny-come-lately" into the security market. At the same time, he underlined that Symantec was setting its horizons to be a provider of all-around system protection, as opposed to a seller of antivirus software and other defense tools--a message Thompson also stressed at the Vision event.

In his remarks, Thompson also drew attention to Microsoft's security record. It has come under criticism in the past for the flaws in its software.

"We will make sure we utilise the strength of our global brands. Symantec is synonymous with security. Microsoft is synonymous with a lot of things, but security is not one of them," he said.

He added that Symantec would spend more on marketing, and added that it was not a "foregone conclusion" the Microsoft would "win" in the security marketplace. The company will also put resources into protecting customers with Microsoft systems.

In other news: Sony unveils PS3 pricing, availability Online ad market finds its own legs Meet the new Frag Dolls News.com Extra: Wal-Mart seeks to trademark smiley face Video: Sony shows off PlayStation 3 specs "Our belief is that the Windows environment needs to be protected like any other. Tightening the (Microsoft) stack will be an important investment in the coming year," Thompson said.

He hinted that Symantec would give details about its marketing plans during its March quarter earnings call, scheduled for Tuesday.

Andy Buss, an analyst at U.K.-based IT consultancy Canalys, predicted that Microsoft's planned security tools would have a fair impact on the consumer antivirus market but doubted whether businesses would adopt the products as readily.

"Enterprises tend to chose proven technologies, are more conservative and are prepared to pay for the service," he said.

Buss added that Microsoft doesn't have a track record of providing an integrated product lineup for the whole of the enterprise, and said there was a particular gap in its tools to manage and respond to virus outbreaks. "These are areas where Microsoft's competitors can make hay," he said.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: microsoft; security; software; symantec
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To: Space Wrangler
A free firewall from ZoneAlarm

Yea right, ZoneAlarm! I have had so many problems with that damn thing! LOL!
MEPIS Linux comes with GuardDog and after a couple easy tweeks grc.com(sheilds up) returns "true stealth".

21 posted on 05/09/2006 11:58:44 AM PDT by Echo Talon
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To: Echo Talon

About the only problem I've had with ZoneAlarm is that it wants to block your local ports on a home network. Even that is an easy workaround, and if it's just absolutely giving you a fit, you can easily remove it and use something else. Try taking a Symantec product off of your computer. Won't happen.


22 posted on 05/09/2006 12:14:29 PM PDT by Space Wrangler
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To: N3WBI3

I'm just the opposite. Around our house Macafee is called Crapafee because it took out my o/s with a file update a couple of times. That was enough for me.


23 posted on 05/09/2006 12:18:04 PM PDT by Ptaz (Take Personal Responsibility--it's not fun, but it's the right thing to do.)
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To: N3WBI3

The latest non-corp Symantec does have some issues, but I wouldn't recommend Mcaffee to anyone, even if I thought they deserved it.


24 posted on 05/09/2006 12:37:48 PM PDT by Golden Eagle (Buy American. While you still can!)
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To: Space Wrangler

Its a pain to get setup right, I haven't tried it in a LONG time maybe its better now than it used to be, a few years ago. no ideas.


25 posted on 05/09/2006 1:00:58 PM PDT by Echo Talon
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To: Echo Talon

It is. After about three days of it constantly asking you if a certain program can have access to the internet, it pretty much gets everything configured on its own. You can't beat the price and my ShieldsUp test shows me at true stealth.


26 posted on 05/09/2006 1:11:49 PM PDT by Space Wrangler
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To: Space Wrangler

good deal. :) maybe when my norton expires I will give it a shot again. My Norton is paid up for about another 8-9months though


27 posted on 05/09/2006 1:40:19 PM PDT by Echo Talon
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To: nickcarraway

Infamous, yeah, in the respect that Norton has uninstallers for their uninstallers. NIS 2002 left a trail of crap in the registry. Doing a Windows reinstall over itself was nothing but a headache. You couldn't get Norton to work without a complete format and reinstall. It happened to me and a friend who bought NIS from my recommendation.

Yeah, we're still friends. ;)


28 posted on 05/09/2006 5:24:31 PM PDT by JoJo Gunn (Help control the Leftist population. Have them spayed or neutered. ©)
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To: Space Wrangler

I still have Norton (old version) on my computer, only reason … the defrag program. If I could get a recommendation on a good defrag program I would dump Norton in a nanosecond.


29 posted on 05/09/2006 6:29:20 PM PDT by doc1019
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To: doc1019

There are a number of defraggers out there, but I just use the one in the system tools for Windows. I'm sure that Norton doesn't do anything so special that there isn't an alternativce out there. Go to download.com and search 'defrag' and you come up with a hundred or more choices.


30 posted on 05/10/2006 5:38:26 AM PDT by Space Wrangler
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