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Thursday, January 06, 2005
The good news: Microsoft is finally doing something about the epidemic of spyware affecting its operating system by releasing a free anti-spyware utility called Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware.
The bad news: It's only free until July 31, when Microsoft will release pricing information for the software. Yoink! You just knew there was a catch, right? Furthermore, they scored a PR bonanza by duping many media outlets into calling it a "free" program. For instance: Microsoft offers free security program - Jan 6, 2005. Argh.
It's simply a joke that Microsoft plans to charge for this program, which wouldn't exist in the first place if Microsoft would actually build a secure operating system. At least Microsoft could take the classy step of donating all profits from their ill-gotten gains to the tsunami victims or perhaps offer a rebate toward the next version of Windows as an apology for forcing us to endure this unnecessary headache. It's time Microsoft stop paying lip-service to consumers and actually do us a favor, for once.
If it sounds enticing despite all this, please resist. Don't use it! Spread the love instead and get Ad-Aware. It's not evil and won't lead to a guilty conscience.
The idiocy doesn't stop there, however. Microsoft has a similar plan for their own anti-virus software, which will be out in the next year. Again, they should not make a dime off this thing. Sure, no one will be forced to buy it, but there are millions of consumers who will think that it's the only option.
Posted by
Cory Kleinschmidt
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D'oh!
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