McAfee and Microsoft working on Vista antivirus

John Viega, Vice President and Chief Security Architect for McAfee told SC that McAfee is currently working with Microsoft to develop a suitable software platform, but he remains cautious.

“Microsoft has said they’re going to cooperate with security vendors and open up their API’s so we can implement best to breed technologies on their platform.

“We’re cautiously optimistic, but at this point we have to wait and see that our points are being addressed,” said Viega.

Viega played down the degree of difference between the two companies caused by Microsoft’s decision to lock-out vendors from crucial Vista coding.

“Honestly this was a blip on the radar screen, a really tiny blip in a very long history of a very close relationship between the companies,” he said.

Earlier in the week, Microsoft co-president Jim Allchin reportedly said that Vista doesn’t need additional anti-virus software. Allchin later clarified his comments on his blog, saying he was misinterpreted and that in many cases anti-virus software will be required in for Vista.

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