As Microsoft Corp. prepares to ship new software to protect its Windows operating system, a top target for malicious programers and hackers, the world's largest software maker also faces another threat -- the scrutiny of antitrust regulators fearing the monopolist could choke off competition.
If Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft ties its new anti-virus software, expected out later this year, too closely to Windows or prices it steeply below anti-virus software offered by vendors such as McAfee Inc. and Symantec Corp., antitrust regulators could turn their attention toward the company again.
"Aggressive entry into the established anti-virus market, especially to the extent Microsoft bundles its solution into the operating system, is almost certain to draw regulatory scrutiny, especially in the EU (European Union)," Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst Charles Di Bona said in a recent note to clients.
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