Analyst: Microsoft OneCare market share non-existent

Microsoft's OneCare security suite is apparently having little if any impact on rivals such as McAfee and Symantec.

In a research note, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, citing NPD data, said Microsoft's security suite has less than 1 percent (technically 0.8 percent) market share.

"While OneCare's exact market share is debatable, it's safe to conclude that OneCare's market share is fractional at best," said Munster.

Why that low market share? Munster opines that consumers aren't aware of OneCare. Another possibility: Folks are aware of OneCare, but don't want Microsoft--which created vulnerable operating systems in the first place--securing their PCs.

In any case, OneCare market share is an inexact science at best. Previous reports indicated that OneCare market share topped 15 percent over the summer.

Munster's point:

"We are not viewing the NPD market share results as an exact science, but more of an indicator of trends in the consumer security space. The bottom line, after six months in the market, OneCare has been a non-event in term of impacting the consumer security market. The point is that, in our opinion, OneCare is not shifting the balance of power."

Thus far, Symantec, CA, TrendMicro and McAfee can rest easy. How easy remains to be seen. Many OneCare users got it as a 90-day trial and haven't had to fork over $19.95 for an annual subscription yet.