Will Microsoft's recent acquisition of three security companies strengthen the security cover for its products, is the glaring question, the biggest IT company on the earth is facing.
In this age of information, securing online activities and information have become the primary concerns of many. While increased reliance on technology to carry on activities has brought many services to the fingertips; it also has given pranksters new ways to pry on users' activities to steal information for unlawful and personal gains. As more and more people and organizations use information highways like the Internet, their vulnerability to security threats increases. Amidst growing concern on security threats, Microsoft has moved security to the top of its priority list.
Microsoft which enjoyed tremendous success in the software market has one major drawbackits inability to provide safe and reliable software. The redmond giant though entered late into the browser market it forced Netscape to fade into oblivion by bundling Internet Explorer (IE) with its operating systems at no extra cost. While this increased its share to reach a market dominating position, it also made it a more popular target for attacks.
As Linux and Mozilla, chip away Microsoft's share in Operating Systems (OS) and the browser market promising more secure, safe and reliable software, Microsoft is realizing the need for more secure products. Though late, Microsoft's initiatives like Trustworthy Computing are efforts on its part to assure its customers about its concern towards security of their data and the importance of security in its line of business. While industry experts opine that Microsoft could help the industry address the important issue of security through sharing information and coding practices, Microsoft had always been reluctant to do so. |
