• December 17, 2004

Microsoft Thursday acquired Giant Company Software, an anti-spyware, anti-pop-up and antispam software maker. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Microsoft said it plans to offer tools based on Giant's technology to protect Windows PCs from deceptive software. The company said the technology complements exisiting Windows XP security features. Microsoft also said a beta version of the Giant software product will be available to Windows customers within one month.

"Spyware is a serious and growing problem for PC users, and customers have made it clear that they want Microsoft to deliver effective solutions to protect against the threat," Mike Nash, vice president of Microsoft's Security Business and Technology unit, said in a statement.

] --R.F.