Security software vendors unhappy with Vista changes

Since the software giant Microsoft, announced last week, that it's going to make changes to the Windows Vista operating system that would focus on the piracy and security, the security software vendors are feeling desperate as the changes may affect their products.

Symantec, a Cupertino, California-based provider of an array of solutions to help users and enterprises to assure security, availability and integrity of their information technology, and McAfee, an antivirus and computer security company headquartered in Santa Clara, California, are the two major companies unhappy with the Microsoft’s changes, which they say pose danger to their products.

What intensifies the battle between the Redmond company and the security software vendors is, Microsoft Vista's proficiency to protect its most fundamental code from cyber attacks as compared to the ability of other vendor' software to check for revealing signs of malicious programs.

Besides combining antivirus and anti-spyware software into Windows and restricting users' ability to install software, Microsoft has shut a loophole that provides products from Symantec and McAfee. Moreover, it disabled security software makers’ access to the Windows kernel, which controls the operating system's primitive functions. Through that access, the vendors detect and block rootkits, keystroke-logging software, and worms.

Meanwhile, John Thompson, chairman and CEO of Symantec, said "Microsoft's product is not as good as Symantec's." He further added that Microsoft's strategy is to enter a $4 billion market for desktop security software and work its way to retain its top position in that market.

Emphasizing on the free flow of data, Symantec CEO said that Microsoft should roll out the Vista with free flow of information around its protocols that is known to everyone, so we are not put at a disadvantage. He said that the company desires that Microsoft exercise authority over how customers get their security and there should be choice for users in the marketplace because customers seek choice.

Thompson stressed that Microsoft must not close the kernel to the rest of the industry, and concluded that software company should not try to force its customers to use its own security software when it releases its new Windows operating system Vista, which is scheduled to release later this year.

On the other hand, Microsoft clarifies that malware writers unethically use the same interfaces used by the security software vendors, to access Windows' kernel, a threat that the software major says preponderates the benefits. Microsoft further explains that modifying the kernel also compromises Windows' performance.

To prevent the modification of kernel, Microsoft has embedded a technology called PatchGuard with Versions of Vista for 64- bit PCs. "Either everybody has access to the kernel," says Microsoft senior product manager Stephen Toulouse, "or nobody does."

On contrary, security vendors are urging Microsoft to make it easier for users to uninstall Windows Security Center, a dashboard that controls security settings in Vista. "You almost need an IT help desk" to change the controls, a McAfee spokeswoman says.

So far, the companies have not filed formal antitrust complaints, but they have raised complaints with regulators at the Justice Department and European Commission.