Focus On: Security

Antivirus builders protected Windows for years, allowing Microsoft to divert its development money to feature-bloat, in lieu of security. In fact, Microsoft's security bench was so empty that, once the decision was made to take over the security business, Redmond was forced to buy outside companies. Email Battles addresses a/v makers' mistakes and Microsoft's new attack strategy, and asks the really tough questions to boot, like, "What's with the name?"

The thieves stole a laptop from a car. The laptop held hundreds of thousands of transaction records, including credit cards, for Hotels.com customers. When you review Hotels.com's Security Policy, you'll see that, while the firm takes great pride in locking down everything its administrators can imagine, managers never saw the auditor's blunders coming.

The boss of the VA analyst who was allowed, though not authorized, to take home critical personal information belonging to over 26 million veterans, has finally fallen (or been pushed) onto his sword. No word on the fate of other personnel who covered up the theft. To hammer home official incompetence, the VA is offering a reward for the return of the equipment that held the data, apparently employing a theory that burglars don't know how to copy data.

Symantec started 2006 with its hand caught in the cookie jar, admitting to embedding rootkit-like functionality in Norton SystemWorks. Since then, Symantec LiveUpdate for Macintosh, Symantec Scan Engine and Symantec Gateway Security have all served up steaming plates of embarrassment. And now, Symantec Antivirus and Symantec Client Security allow remote exploits. With Wintel closing in on its a/v franchise and its stock already in the tank, the timing couldn't be worse.

The number two digital certificate vendor, Comodo, expected their new, free, anti-virus engine's release to be greeted with accolades. Instead, they're drawing fire from critics who claim that the software sneakily installed more than they bargained for. Another case of Sony-style corporate deceit, or a few spoiled endusers looking a gift horse in the mouth? Email Battles ruminates.