Microsoft plunging deeper into PC security

The Seattle Times reports:

Microsoft will enter new territory Thursday when it begins selling Windows Live OneCare, a PC-maintenance service designed to protect users from viruses, spyware and the loss of computer files.

In the past, the company left most of this heavy lifting to partners in the computer-security market, including Symantec and McAfee. For Microsoft, that didn't always produce the best results.

"Here's what used to happen when there was a big Windows virus: Symantec's stock price would go up, and congressmen were yelling at Microsoft," said John Pescatore, a security analyst with Gartner.

So Microsoft became more aggressive, buying industry vendors such as Giant Company Software of New York and putting together its own service. It will sell for a $50 annual subscription for up to three personal computers.

Competition.