Microsoft Reportedly Testing Security Technologies

Windows users would certainly welcome more protection against attacks like this week's Internet worm, dubbed Blaster or LoveSan, which has raised havoc within government agencies, businesses and consumers across the globe. More than a quarter of a million computers have been infected by the malicious code, which, if undetected, could cause the machines to launch a denial of service attack against Microsoft's web site on Saturday.

The Microsoft trial, dubbed PC Satisfaction, will study "how much more satisfied Windows customers are when they feel confident about the security of their PC and the safety of their data and personal information," the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, quoting from an invitation to beta testers for the technologies being used in the trial.

The invitation was posted on ActiveWin.com, a web site focused on Microsoft news and products, the newspaper reported. Based on testers' e-mail postings, the beta testing probably began in May.

A Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed the trial, but said it was too early to say what it would accomplish, or whether it would lead to any security technology for the next version of Windows, which is code named Longhorn and expected out in 2005.

"It's really still in the trial stages," spokeswoman Phyllis McNeice said. "Certainly, there hasn't been anything done in terms of the delivery mechanism for this."

McNeice, who works for the Redmond, Wash., company's public relations firm, Waggener Edstrom, also confirmed that the trial was focusing on customer attitudes, and not testing products.

The trial, however, is reportedly using a number of technologies not made by Microsoft, including Command antivirus software from Authentium Inc. of Jupiter, Fla., and a personal firewall from Tiny Software Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif. The trial does not include antivirus software from GeCAD Software SRL, a Romanian company Microsoft acquired in June, or Microsoft's firewall in Windows XP. Microsoft officials were unavailable for comment.

A Microsoft spokesman, however, told the Journal that the trial uses a number of technologies not made by Microsoft, including Command antivirus software from Authentium Inc. of Jupiter, Fla., and a personal firewall from Tiny Software Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif. The trial does not include antivirus software from GeCAD Software SRL, a Romanian company Microsoft acquired in June, or Microsoft's firewall in Windows XP.

Given all of Microsoft's moves in the security market over the last couple of years, analysts expect Microsoft to eventually embed more security technologies in Windows.

"It's inescapable that the company has decided that security is an area that, No. 1, it needs to make a lot more of an effort in, and No. 2, change its reputation in," Eric Hemmendinger, security analyst for market researcher Aberdeen Group, said. "And No. 3, it's not going to be surprising to me if they decide this is a potential revenue opportunity for them."

Microsoft's moves in the security area include the launch of its Trustworthy Computing initiative in January 2002, the formation of a Security Business Unit in March 2002 to lead product initiatives, the acquisition of GeCAD, and the addition of a firewall in Windows XP.

Microsoft leveraging its desktop monopoly to enter a consumer market usually initiates business strategy meetings among potential competitors. In the market for anti-virus software, however, major vendors, such as Symantec Corp. and Network Associates Technology Inc., have plenty of time to prepare.

"I'm not sure that I would subscribe to the notion that this is a really serious problem for well-established companies today," Hemmendinger said. "Microsoft's efforts in this area could materialize in an 18- or 24-month period, but it could take longer than that before it really starts to have an impact on the market place for Network Associates or Symantec, to name two companies.

"I've got to believe that the executive teams of both companies have their own thinking caps on and are trying to assess where they need to be two or three years down the road."

This story courtesy of TechWeb .