Sybari Software Inc

Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday that it intended to buy a company that makes antivirus and other security software -- much of it aimed at safeguarding against vulnerabilities in Microsoft products. The acquisition of Sybari Software Inc. would be the software giant's third such purchase in two years. That fueled concern that Microsoft was planning its own line of security programs. "It would be an inherent conflict of interest," said industry analyst Neil MacDonald of Gartner Inc.

Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday that it intended to buy a company that makes antivirus and other security software -- much of it aimed at safeguarding against vulnerabilities in Microsoft products. The acquisition of Sybari Software Inc. would be the software giant's third such purchase in two years. That fueled concern that Microsoft was planning its own line of security programs. "It would be an inherent conflict of interest," said industry analyst Neil MacDonald of Gartner Inc.

Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday that it would buy FrontBridge Technologies Inc. of Los Angeles, its second acquisition this year of an e-mail anti-virus protection provider. FrontBridge provides an outsourcing service that allows companies to have their e-mails and instant messaging scanned before they reach internal corporate networks. FrontBridge's subscription service allows companies to back up their messages and comply with regulations.

HP's Board Ousts CEO Carly Fiorina Hewlett-Packard Co.'s board has ousted Carly Fiorina, the high-gloss chief executive who ultimately was unable to meet Wall Street's expectations for the technology behemoth. Grumbling about Fiorina began building soon after she masterminded the 2002 acquisition of Compaq Computer Corp. But her termination at a board meeting surprised many investors. Fiorina, 50, had been CEO since July 1999.