Microsoft Readies 'A1' Security Subscription Service

According to Microsoft-Watch, Microsoft is planning to introduce a new subscription service code-named "A1". It is unknown yet if Microsoft will use the technology from anti-virus vendor GeCAD and anti-spyware maker Giant Company Software last month.

Microsoft officials have said the company is planning to make some form of its anti-spyware product available as a free tool. But that isn't the ultimate plan, partner sources said.

Microsoft is currently expecting to field its A1 anti-spyware/anti-virus bundle in the form of a renewable subscription service, the same way a number of other security vendors do, sources said. The service will allow users to keep current on the code needed to combat ever-changing viruses, worms, spybots and the like.

 

Some elements of A1 are likely to be built directly into future versions of Windows, according to partners. Specifically, some of the security-management functionality, such as the security-health-validation technology which Microsoft officials discussed last year, would likely be bundled into Windows itself, partners said.