Microsoft details Windows anti-virus pricing

Found on The Register on Tuesday, 07 February 2006
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Users running Windows will be charged almost $50 each year for having their PCs protected by Microsoft against attacks from hackers.

Microsoft underlined the advantage in using Windows OneCare in a statement, saying: "Research showed that most people's computers are insufficiently protected from threats... because users find the protection process confusing and frustrating." Windows OneCare Live provides a "just take care of it for me" service.

News of the pricing comes a week after exiting Windows chief Jim Allchin told Computer Reseller News (CRN) the long-awaited Windows Vista client would not feature anti-virus protection, and customers would need to subscribe to Windows OneCare Live.

Microsoft's decision to charge customers extra for anti-virus protection comes despite repeated claims by the company about the level of importance accorded to security in Windows Vista. Allchin last month said: "Safety and security is the overriding feature that most people will want to have Windows Vista for."

Does that mean users could sue MS for compensation if their machines are hacked even if they joined OneCare? If safety and security is the best feature, then obviously usability and stability isn't. Updates and fixes should always be free. An advocatus diaboli would say that MS could now add bugs to justify their security product.