Tech Shout!

With Windows Vista Beta 2 scheduled to be released public via a Customer Preview Program in the coming weeks, testers may encountering a major problem: many antivirus suites don’t yet work with the new operating system. CA (Computer Associates) is aiming to fix this issue by offering free copies of eTrust EZ for Vista.

The trial subscription will last for one year, at which users will need to pay to continue receiving virus definition updates. With Microsoft planning to distribute its own antivirus capabilities with Windows OneCare and Windows Live Safety Center, companies such as CA have been looking at ways — such as free promotions — to guarantee their icon on the desktop.

The company sees the Vista beta process as a chance to get their product in the hands of an estimated 2 million potential customers, said Stefana Ribaudo-Muller, director of product development with CA.

Vista has about 500,000 beta testers at present, but Microsoft expects that number to grow in the coming weeks as it goes into a wider release.
Separately CA updated its eTrust Secure Content Manager security software aswell. Version 8.0 of the product has better administration and reporting features and works better with Microsoft Active Directory and LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) directories.

The Secure Content Manager acts as an internet gateway, blocking email and web threats before they can get on the network. The software can be used to ensure that confidential information is not sent out from within corporate networks.