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Just when you think you have Microsoft’s Bill Gates’ next move figured out, he goes and does the opposite.
Reversing a longstanding Microsoft policy, Gates told those attending the RSA security conference in San Francisco this past week that the company will ship an update to Internet Explorer separately from the next major version of Windows, currently using the code name Longhorn. A beta version of a secure and fully featured Internet Explorer 7 will début this summer, Gates said in his keynote address to conference participants.
In announcing the plan, Gates acknowledged something that many had been arguing for some time — that the browser itself has become a security risk. “Browsing is definitely a point of vulnerability,” Gates said.
Gates also ended speculation about whether Microsoft would shift to a paid model for their recently released (and invaluable, it turns out) AntiSpyware tool, when he announced that the company will continue to provide customers with its new anti-spyware software free. The pledge comes after the company had been testing its AntiSpyware application — technology it acquired with its purchase of security software maker Giant Software.
“Just as spyware (Windows Media Player video) is something that we have to nip down today, we have decided that all licensed Windows users should have that protection at no charge,” Gates said.
