Microsoft: New security tech products

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive officer, announced plans to release Microsoft Client Protection, a solution designed to protect business desktops, laptops and file servers from malware threats.

In addition, the company announced creation of the SecureIT Alliance, which it said will enable its participating security partners to integrate solutions with the Microsoft platform.

Speaking in Munich, Germany, Ballmer said: "At Microsoft, we're investing heavily in security because we want customers to be able to trust their computing experiences ... With the continuing onslaught of malware, viruses, phishing attacks and other kinds of Internet fraud, creating a more secure computing environment requires a concerted, long-term effort on the part of all technology companies, as well."

The new products and services will create competition with security software publishers such as Symantec and McAfee.

Copyright 2005 by United Press International