Beginning in June, Microsoft will offer a new protection service to customers around the world to protect their computers from viruses, worms, spyware and other Internet attacks. The new service, called Windows OneCare Live, will cost $49.95 a year and will cover up to three computers.
This new service will compete with security products made by traditional Microsoft partners, including Symantec and McAfee. Microsoft insists that its aim is not to run those companies out of business. OneCare, which is already available for free in test form, aims to protect people running the most recent version of Windows against Internet attacks and intrusive spyware. It also promises to provide regular tuneups to help keep computers running smoothly, and offers users a way to back up and restore data.
Ryan Hamlin, general manager of Microsoft's Technology Care and Safety Group, said Microsoft is less concerned with converting people already using other products. Instead, Hamlin says Microsoft's goal is to provide protection for users who don't have any added or up-to-date security. He estimates that this group comprises 70 percent of consumer users.
You notice that in my headline, I called this a "protection racket." I did this on purpose because I agree with some other tech columnists that are comparing this new plan to a protection racket where gangsters charge you a fee for protecting you against them. While Microsoft is definitely not a group of gangsters, it is ironic that they want to charge money to protect you from the nasty malware that takes advantage of Microsoft's mistakes. In a way, you can't help but admire the effectiveness of selling both the problem and the solution.
Robert Vamosi, a senior columnist at CNET, calls this new service "SopranoCare." In his article he stated, "It's like Microsoft's saying to the customer, yeah, we wrote shoddy code, but pay us an annual fee, and we'll protect you from viruses and other malicious code."
He also didn't like the fact that this is an on-line protection service, meaning Microsoft will have even more control of one's computer behind the scenes.
FYI, Symantec is also working on a similar program called "Project Genesis", which will also offer on-line protection. No word on its release date yet. But, do look for other security vendors like MacAfee and Trend Micro to jump into the on-line protection business.
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