Microsoft will ship Windows 8 with built-in antivirus software, potentially dealing a devastating blow to the security industry.
The software giant has been offering free Windows antivirus software, Microsoft Security Essentials, for some time, but has thus far refrained from bundling it with the operating system - only offering it as a Windows Update for those who don't have any other form of antivirus protection.
However, that will change with the release of Windows 8, with Microsoft beefing up the protection offered by Windows Defender with antivirus scanning. It means that Windows will soon ship with free firewall, spyware, antivirus and parental controls - mirroring the features offered by many paid-for security suites.
The move is sure to anger security software firms, who have previously threatened to report Microsoft for anti-competitive behaviour for bundling security software.
The antivirus protection is only one of the new security features present in the next-generation operating system. Windows 8 will now block attempts to boot the PC from an infected USB drive, potentially cutting off another popular attack vector.
Unrecognised executables, such as those routinely distributed by fake antivirus sites, will also be blocked in both Internet Explorer and Windows itself.
The new class of Metro Style apps for Windows 8 will be subject to security checks from Microsoft before they're admitted to the download Store.
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