Editorial: The next worst thing in malware

By: Marilyn Cohodas

The recent announcement of Microsoft's plans for new enterprise security products to fight spyware, viruses and spam got me to thinking about how hard it is for enterprises -- and vendors -- to keep up with the likes of hackers, crackers and the unremitting spread of malware.

Details about Microsoft's upcoming anti-malware products are, so far, very sketchy. What we do know is that we'll see a client beta by the end of the year that will include an integrated management console for viewing reports. First half of '06, the company plans to beta test server-based antivirus and antispam software developed from technology it obtained from the acquisition of Sybari Software Inc.

Certainly, the event viewer sounds like a nifty addition to the corporate Windows security arsenal. But whether corporate customers will pony up money to pay Microsoft for extra protection for its own products is an open question.

There is also the question of whether enterprises even need more weapons to fight spyware and spam. These two problems, while annoying, seem pretty well under control at this stage of the game. So tell me: Are spyware and spam your most-critical security problems? If so, what is the next worse thing you are seeing in the trenches of the malware battle? What do you need to combat them?

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