Take Over Rumors

[emmjay]

I have read a lot about security software 'take-overs' on several sites in the past few months. There are computer news and tech sites that have on-going discussions in regards to assumed major take overs. Most security software sites regard the assumptions as rumors and no more than that.

For some time Avira looked as though Symantec was going to gobble it up. Nothing happened. Now we have discussions everywhere that Microsoft is going to gobble up Symantec.

The freeware offerings have definitely been a huge component of the discussions. The 'what-ifs' are centered very much around this topic. As an example, what-if MS takes over Symantec? Does MSE stay as it is (free)? Will MSE remain the basic offering only? Will the Symantec suite be the 'buy-me' security package from MS? The very same scenario was presented in regards to Avira (and yes, it was proved to be just conjecture).

Maybe this is just noise and nothing more. The 'what-ifs' are somewhat compelling though and it gives you pause when it comes to the ultimate destiny of freeware in this segment of the market.