Microsoft Buys Antivirus Firm
A WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE NEWS ROUNDUP
February 8, 2005 10:57 a.m.
Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday it will buy antivirus firm Sybari Software Inc., the latest move by the software giant to bolster its computer security offerings. Terms were not disclosed.
Microsoft has rattled other antivirus software makers with plans to offer a broad set of tools to better protect its customers. Last month, the Redmond Wash., company began offering free software for combating "spyware" and viruses, based on technology from two small companies it acquired last year.
East Northport, N.Y.-based Sybari said about 10,000 companies -- representing nearly 10 million end-user e-mail accounts -- are using its antivirus, antispam and content-filtering software. The company filed to go public last month in an offering that would have put the value of the company as high as $186 million.
Founded in 1995, Sybari focused mostly on its flagship antivirus program, Antigen, until two years ago. In 2003 and 2004, Sybari unveiled new software aimed at filtering unsolicited e-mail advertisements and guarding networks against other types of attacks. Through the first nine months of 2004, the company posted a loss of $1 million on sales of $34.1 million.
The news of Microsoft's acquisition rattled shares of other antivirus makers in morning trading. Symantec Corp., the market leader, was down 92 cents, or 3.9%, to $22.69 on the Nasdaq Stock Market, while McAfee Inc. dropped 9.1%, or $2.36, to $23.60 on the New York Stock Exchange |
