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Microsoft Realizes No One Wants to Pay Microsoft to Fix Its Own Security Flaws

Mike Masnick

Back in 2005, when Microsoft was first mulling the idea of offering security software, we noted that the company was between something of a rock and a hard place. If it decided to charge for the software, people would accuse the company of trying to get people to pay to protect themselves from the security vulnerabilities in Microsoft’s own software. Yet, if they went free, then they would face screams about antitrust violations for undercutting competitors in the security software market. We also suggested a third option: Design better software that doesn’t need security software. But, failing that, Microsoft (MSFT) chose what I think was the worst of the three options: selling security software

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