Microsoft Corp. did an about-face on October 13, agreeing to make it easier for customers of its forthcoming Vista operating system to use outside security vendors, such as those who make popular antivirus and anti-spyware programs reports the Washington Post.

Until now, Microsoft had planned to block those companies from installing their products in the deepest levels of the new operating system, which is scheduled for release early next year.

Microsoft's shift means that users would continue to have a choice in the programs they use to protect their computers and not be tied to something that Microsoft offers.

Microsoft is getting into the established, multibillion-dollar Windows security market with its own antivirus and anti-spyware services. The European Commission, which has fined Microsoft nearly $1 billion for antitrust violations, told the company that it was concerned that Vista's system for alerting users about security weaknesses might confuse customers who were using a similar alert system with other security programs.

Symantec Corp., maker of the Norton security programs, specifically took issue with what Vista users will see when they start their computers: a screen that advertises Microsoft's own antivirus and security services.

Symantec spokesman Cris Paden said the company was encouraged by Microsoft's announcement, but noted that it had not received any technical details about the plan.

Microsoft said it is still gathering information from the software security vendors and will respond case by case.

The company said that blocking the core area of the operating system was also meant to enhance the performance of the entire computer, noting that unsupported access by outside software programs could affect the overall stability of the machine.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/.../AR2006101301280.html