Can Microsoft .NET Deliver 'Trustworthy Computing'?

The aim of this paper was to analyze the security framework of Microsoft .NET, and examine whether its components and features will deliver Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, his ambition of transforming Microsoft into the leading software provider of web services and 'trustworthy computing'. The initiative to deliver 'Trustworthy Computing' is grounded in the strategic decision taken by Microsoft in positioning .NET as being their main platform and software development. Unlike the desktop environments of the 80's and 90's .NET will be exposed to malicious threats globally and weaknesses in the security architecture will greatly damage its potential for success. Therefore to mitigate these threats Microsoft has invested substantial resources and shifted its strategy to ensure that core components such as stability availability integrity and privacy are delivered in its products and services. It is felt that by delivering these components Microsoft will be able to regain the trust of customers and industry which may have diminished in recent years due to viruses such as the 'I love you virus' and 'Code Red'.