The anti-virus industry is riding high on the back of growth in malicious software, according to research from Gartner.
The analyst revealed that the industry grew 13.6 per cent in 2005 to generate revenue of $4 billion, with future expansion looking likely.
It predicts double digit growth in the short-term, fuelled by activity in Canada, the Middle East and the Asia/ Pacific region.
Nicole Latimer-Livingston, principal research analyst, wrote that vendors will start adding security features to software, such as anti-spyware and firewall functions, as the market for stand-alone ant-virus products declines.
"The market for stand-alone anti-virus and anti-spyware products for businesses and consumers will eventually start to decline as interest for end-point security product suites continues to grow," she said.
The research found that Symantec is the largest anti-virus company, accounting for 53.6 per cent of the market, followed by McAfee with 18.8 per cent.
Panda Software grew at the fastest rate between 2004 and 2005, with a strong hold in the European small and medium-size business market.
However, Ms Latimer-Livingston wrote: "Microsoft's entry into the consumer antivirus market is expected to unleash stronger price competition, which will likely lower the overall market revenue opportunity."
Microsoft launched Live OneCare, its consumer firewall, anti-virus and back-up software, earlier in the month.
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