Good Call

https://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2008/Nov08/11-18AmyBarzdukasQandA.mspx

“REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 18, 2008 — As part of its commitment to provide users with a trustworthy computing experience, Microsoft has announced plans to offer a new, core security solution for consumers. Available at no additional cost, this new solution will focus on delivering easy-to-use protection from threats that can place personal information at risk and harm system performance.”

This in my humble opinion, was a logical progression along an already sensible path. In the past, the addition of security based components to the XP Operating system along with the development of the Firewall that had been in existence since NT, are to name a few typical of a steady and holistic progression. Then the advent of Vista, with many functions designed to undermine the mechanism of an assault, minimising the attack surface simply by removing the vector’s ability through the 3D’s in the SDL.

The KISS principle wins again.

I expect the usual nay-sayers to wail and gnash their teeth. It’s not the first time a vendor has supplied “Antivirus“ at “no additional charge”  They will say – “ they’re giving it away” and attributing, albeit incorrectly, the associated value with something that is free.

This is akin to saying seatbelts, decent tyres, fog lights, and side impact bars are of no value because they are included -at no additional cost-. 

Microsoft’s intention for a secure operating system has been realised in the likes of Vista and this is further entrenched with regular additions to combat and pre-empt the ever increasing issues presented, not just by the attempted Viral incursions and territorial twitterings of a few lonely and spotty boys, but the well organised, and quality assured Crimeware that pervades a beleaguered internet today.

Joe Average consumer is, in my opinion, not concerned with how it works any more than they would attempt to fathom the arcane lore that fashioned their wrist watch. When they walk in to an automobile dealer they are not concerned with –how- the car will go from nought to whatever in how many seconds; only that it will and that they can trust that it will. This is not said to question the intelligence of the consumer, only to state that all they want is for it to work, and for it to be something in their everyday lives that will continue to work, continue to be trusted, and continue to provide a constructive- and productive component to an aspect of their already busy lives.

The inception of “Morro” isn’t just the creation of a fully featured consumer anti-malware solution, nor is it just a symbiotic component fitting into an already hardened ecosystem, thus making the whole greater than its parts. The fact that this will be available to all – even developing areas - says one very important thing: if you are on the other side of the fence- if you are of the ilk that preys upon the net with Crimeware, then we, the people, are reducing your food source in jolly great big chunks.

Get used to it. J