Microsoft not happy with AV software performance

Microsoft is still experiencing growing pains as it brings its consumer and enterprise security products and service up to speed. Microsoft released Windows Live OneCare for consumers in May 2006 and its Forefront Client Security for enterprises earlier this year. Both products entered a saturated security market populated by experienced security-specialist companies such as Symantec, McAfee, and Trend Micro.

When Microsoft began investing in the security field around 2003, the company didn't have "the ability to speak AV," said Vinny Gullotto, general manager of the company's Malware Protection Center. Now, that ability is much more developed, said Gullotto, who spoke Monday on the sidelines of IT Forum, the company's largest customer event in Europe.

At least initially, Windows Live OneCare didn't fare well in malware detection tests, but Microsoft is improving its performance, Gullotto said.