Microsoft Warily Eyes Antivirus Market

Not surprisingly, most analysts agree that even if Microsoft does begin selling antivirus products, the world's largest software maker may for once face an uphill battle in the enterprise market. That's because of the bad rap it has earned after releasing patch upon patch to fix holes in its software.

"Will Microsoft become the dominant security vendor? I only think this is likely through partnership," said Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Kevin Trosian, who has a neutral rating on Symantec and a buy rating on Network Associates. "That's the only strategy that is going to be able to work for Microsoft in security for a while -- at least for a few years." (His firm hasn't done any banking with Symantec or Network Associates.)

"There's no trust with Microsoft right now on the security issues," Trosian explained. "People kind of roll their eyes when Bill Gates talks about their security issues."

But in the end, heads may roll in the security space if Microsoft makes a big push into the antivirus sector.