Security products sell despite freebies

By Anick Jesdanun

updated 2:35 p.m. ET Sept. 17, 2006

NEW YORK - Microsoft gives away a security firewall with its latest operating system. Many high-speed Internet service providers offer free anti-virus protection for subscribers. And several Web sites distribute free toolbars to warn of Web scams.

AOL even recently made a package of basic security tools — anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall programs — available for free to anyone, not just paying subscribers.

Despite all the free protection, primarily for Windows computers, leading security vendors are moving forward with plans to start selling their annual slate of security products this fall.

Why bother, when so much is available elsewhere at no cost?

"I absolutely don't argue that the highly tech-savvy consumer will and can search the Web for freeware and knock out 90, maybe 95 percent of the risk," said Lane Bass, Trend Micro Inc.'s general manager for consumer products. "That's not the largest (base of) consumers out there."

Most people, he said, would rather install a package — for $50 in Trend Micro's case — that does everything.

Free often means cobbling a package together:

• Taking the basic firewall that comes with the Service Pack 2 version of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP, or getting a stronger one like Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.'s Zone Alarm to monitor and block outbound traffic as well;
• Adding anti-virus protection from a high-speed Internet provider like Comcast Corp. or Time Warner Inc.'s Road Runner;
• Obtaining one or more free spyware removal tools like Spybot Search & Destroy;
• Installing a toolbar from EarthLink Inc. or elsewhere to block Web sites known to engage in e-mail "phishing" scams.

Even AOL's free all-in-one package, which uses technology from McAfee Inc. and others, is incomplete, said Joel Davidson, an AOL executive vice president for products and technologies.

Last week, the Time Warner unit announced that subscribers who pay $26 a month will get additional protections, such as a stronger firewall and alerts when malicious software tries to send out a bank account or credit card number. They'll even get more online storage for backup and free insurance for identity theft and computer damage.

The free standalone products have even more limits.

Major e-mail providers scan messages for viruses automatically, but they won't address threats that come from instant messaging or a rogue Web site, or a virus already on the computer.

Trend Micro's free HouseCall virus scanner covers those situations, but users must remember to periodically perform a check, and they won't be automatically protected in the interim. Same goes for the free scan from Microsoft; automated scanning comes with Windows Live OneCare, which costs $50 a year for up to three computers and includes computer backup and tuneup services.

MORE FROM SECURITY

Security Section Front

Facebook hit by ‘Control Your Info’ intruder Twitter phishing ploy goes for ‘Direct Messages’ Red Tape: Your chance to spy on Google Hacking ring caught in $9 million fraud Tagged.com settles with states in invite fight Framed for child porn — by a PC virus Obama gets mixed reviews in China's blogosphere Spain: Internet-related child porn on the rise Google providing better view of personal data EU agrees on new Internet user rights Security Section Front   Add Security headlines to your news reader: