14 DAY TRIAL // Rival security developers Symantec and Sophos have made a united front against Microsoft, and downplayed the relevance of the Redmond Company's presence in the industry. Both security companies adopted similar contemptible perspectives when dealing with Microsoft and aimed at the technology that is at the basis of products such as Windows Live OneCare and Forefront. The fact of the matter is that Microsoft's OneCare and Forefront share the same antivirus engine and, as such, Symatec and Sophos have considered that the Forefront suite will share OneCare's poor performances.
Windows Live OneCare has failed to impress on more than one occasion. Initially, the antivirus failed to detect all the malicious code thrown against it in the tests performed by the Virus Bulletin, and failed to receive the magazine's VB 100 recognition. Additionally, tests run by AV Comparatives, revealed that OneCare had the lowest detection rate out of 17 security solutions.
"OneCare has failed multiple third-party anti-virus tests, including the latest Virus Bulletin, which is widely considered the benchmark test for AV engines," Symantec commented, as cited by TechWorld.
"I think it goes beyond just comparing it to OneCare, and the shared code base. Anti-virus tech support is not like supporting a Word processor - if a customer has a problem with a virus on their network they want assistance right now," stated Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos. "Every time news stories emerge of new vulnerabilities being discovered in Microsoft's software, their image as a credible security vendor is in risk of being further tarnished."
Cluley additionally forecasted that the corporate environment, which is notoriously slow in adopting changes, will take its time before even considering switching to Forefront.