Anti-Virus Vendors: Late to the Party?

This article comments on the integration of computer virus and spyware protection. For the most part, viruses behave along a certain set of well-known guidelines. In many cases they are crudely written and usually install into well-known locations on the computer. Based on this knowledge, anti-virus programs will detect anything trying to pass through their nets. Spyware is quite different. Because it is written for financial gain, it tends to be more sophisticated in design and implementation. Spyware programs are harder to remove. At this time, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition does not have a true anti-spyware detection and removal engine. It can detect and remove Trojans, but because most spyware does not come in that format, it isn't helpful. F-Secure stated that it is moving toward an integrated anti-virus/anti-spyware product, and that it is close to releasing a stand-alone detection product. But according to an F-Secure representative, detecting spyware with an anti-virus package is problematic due to end-user perception. In the end, the top anti-virus vendors will likely provide an integrated anti-virus/anti-spyware package for one-stop desktop and server security. Exactly how long it will take them to work out all the kinks, however, remains to be seen. Until then, separate anti-virus and anti-spyware software will remain a fact of life for enterprise administrators.