More Vista trouble for Microsoft

Microsoft’s difficulties with its Vista operating system increased this week as an attempt by software maker McAfee to warn of security weaknesses coincided with the extension of an EU investigation into alleged anti-trust issues.

"Microsoft users have demanded higher security in the system and we have put a huge focus on making sure it is secure," said spokesperson Tom Brookes, seeking to allay concerns resulting from Monday’s (2 October) advertisement placed by McAfee in the Financial Times. The company claims that 97% of the world’s desktops could be brought down by hackers and viruses if the company continues to prevent other companies from getting access to the core of the operating system, the kernel.

"There has been an intensive and longstanding process of consultation with our computer security companies, including McAfee and Symantec," said Brookes. "Obviously, if there are outstanding concerns, Microsoft is fully prepared to listen. Windows is a platform product. The whole of Microsoft’s business is based on the ability to make the platform easy to work with for third-party developers."

Microsoft warned last month that the EU release of Vista would be delayed as a result of the European Commission’s investigation, launched after proposed changes to the system were deemed insufficient. Relations between Microsoft and the Commission, which fined the company a record €497 million in 2004, have been strained of late with the latter accusing the former of conducting a co-ordinated campaign against the Commission.

On Tuesday (3 October), Microsoft announced that it had launched an appeal at the European Court of First Instance against a €280.5 million fine imposed in July for failure to comply with the conditions of the Commission’s 2004 ruling.

Microsoft’s difficulties with its Vista operating system increased this week as an attempt by software maker McAfee to warn of security weaknesses coincided with the extension of an EU investigation into alleged anti-trust issues.