MOST OF THE world's desktop operating systems run Microsoft software and that makes it the best target for those who write viruses and create worms, spam and spyware. It has also turned it into a target for those who complain it has done little to combat it.
For years, Microsoft claimed its operating systems were no more vulnerable than any other company's, but more is written about the software giant's vulnerability than that of Apple or Sun or any variation of Linux because of the proliferation of Windows. The company has always denied it has a monopoly but, with 95 per cent of the world's personal computers running versions of Windows, that has never been believed by anybody not working for Microsoft.
In what many consider a surprise move, Microsoft recently announced that it would attempt to tackle spyware in a serious way. Of all the things that can attack a computer, many computer users consider spyware the most insidious. It sits unnoticed on the hard disk and secretly sends information about the user to an outside party, usually companies tracking surfing habits for market research and hackers after bank account details and passwords.
Dixon Ho, Microsoft's chief security officer for Hong Kong, said the company decided to address the spyware problem because customers asked it to.
'Our customers tell us that they look to Microsoft for powerful solutions to address this serious and growing problem, so we address our customers' needs by offering new anti-spyware technology that will let them find, remove and prevent spyware and other unwanted software from affecting their PCs,' he said.
Mr Ho said Microsoft worked with industry and law enforcement organisations to address the latest threats to the digital community.