Microsoft seen overtaking consumer security software market

Microsoft will put the hurt on some players in the security software game as it rolls out its own defensive products and its Windows Vista operating system, analyst said Tuesday.

"The McAfees, Symantecs, and Trends won't be put to bed by Microsoft, not in the enterprise," said Natalie Lambert, an analyst with Forrester Research. "Microsoft's security efforts will lack the functionality that those companies' products have" for at least 18 to 24 months, she added. "McAfee, Symantec, and Trend have more than just anti-virus and anti-spyware. That's a huge advantage."

But Microsoft's entry into the security space - which started with a series of acquisitions beginning in 2003 - clearly has some security vendors worried. Monday, John Thompson, Symantec's chief executive, said that the security giant was concerned about Microsoft playing "fair" in the marketplace.