Microsoft has acquired Giant Company Software, a supplier of anti-spyware and other security products.
Microsoft said it plans to offer customers a beta version of a spyware protection, detection and removal tool, based on Giant's AntiSpyware product, within a month. The tool will be available for Windows 2000 and later versions.
"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 this threat," Mike Nash, corporate vice president of the Microsoft Security Business and Technology Unit, said in a statement.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Giant's other products include Spam Inspector and Popup Inspector. Key employees at the company will be joining Microsoft.
