Ο Eugene Kaspersky, συνιδρυτής της ρωσικής εταιρείας ασφάλειας Kaspersky, ανακοίνωσε πρόσφατα ότι η εταιρεία του κατέθεσε μηνύσεις κατά της Microsoft στην Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή και στο γερμανικό Federal Cartel Office. To mention that he had done the same at the end of 2016 to the FAS Antimonopoly Service).
Kaspersky claims that Microsoft uses unfair tactics to force users to have only the Windows Defender, the default antivirus of Windows 10. In a blog post today, Kaspersky accuses Redmond of disabling third-party antivirus when upgrading to Windows 10, using its dominant position to promote its own security product.
"Microsoft antivirus works on all versions of Windows 10 for home users: it is impossible to turn it off completely, and it is impossible to delete it. Until recently, no one asked you if you needed it or not. "There was a time when, even if you used a different security solution, Microsoft AV was running periodically," says Kaspersky.
Microsoft, according to Kaspersky, does so mainly because its protection software has failed to remain competitive and because third-party security products are much more powerful, and continues accusing the company of using its anti-virus product only because it is for a market driven by others.
"This restriction only applies to antiviruses - with which Microsoft has been trying to compete (and not doing very well) for years. But in previous (before 10) versions of Windows there were no such special measures. So, as it turns out, after years of failure (in competition with other antivirus), Microsoft has resorted to the alternative tactics we know.
Microsoft not only removes Windows third-party protection products when upgrading but does not give suppliers enough time to prepare their security software for new versions of Windows. And that's one of the reasons that is finally blocked when upgrading is done, says Kaspersky.
Finally, Microsoft appeals to support fair and healthy competition, while calling on other security providers to participate in this effort and file anti-monopoly proceedings against the company.
Microsoft has already published a statement stating that it does not violate international competition rules and is willing to work with the antitrust agencies to address all these claims.
