Should software companies be more liable for problems caused when software breaks or some malicious outsider breaks it? The National Academy of Sciences, in a security paper released last month, says yes. But I'm not sure our nation's supposedly brightest minds have really thought this out.. . .
Should software companies be more liable for problems caused when software breaks or some malicious outsider breaks it? The National Academy of Sciences, in a security paper released last month, says yes. But I'm not sure our nation's supposedly brightest minds have really thought this out.

First, let me make one thing very clear: I don't understand why I have to buy antivirus and security software. Not that I hold anything against the companies that make those products; actually, I think McAfee and--especially--Norton do a pretty good job.

BUT IF ALL this software does is protect me against vulnerabilities in Microsoft's operating systems, technologies, and applications, why doesn't Microsoft just give me the protection for free? Or perhaps as a subscription (I know readers hate the word) that includes operating system updates and upgrades as well?

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