GIANT purchase for Microsoft

Microsoft buys anti-spyware provider.

Microsoft announced yesterday that it has acquired anti-spyware firm GIANT Company Software Inc.

Microsoft says it plans to use intellectual property and technology assets from the acquisition to provide new anti-spyware tools for users of Microsoft Windows.

A free beta version of Microsoft's spyware protection, detection and removal tool is expected to be available to customers within one month.

The beta product will scan the machine to locate spyware and enable customers to remove them. The tool will be configurable to block known spyware and other unwanted software from being installed on the computer and will be available for Microsoft Windows 2000 and later versions.

Earlier this year anti-virus vendor Computer Associates purchased anti-spyware firm PestPatrol.

17 December 2004

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GIANT purchase for Microsoft