Antivirus software provider McAfee Antivirus Inc. said in a statement late Thursday it is “greatly disappointed by the lack of action” on Microsoft Corp.’s part to provide information needed to develop security software for the new Vista operating system.
On Monday, Microsoft said it has given McAfee and Symantec Corp., another security vendor, some of the information they want to make their products work with Vista.

A Microsoft spokesman said the software interfaces for the Windows Security Center were uploaded to a Web site for software developers.

Symantec and McAfee have accused Microsoft of abusing its monopoly in deciding which security products can run on Vista, arguing that Microsoft is deliberately withholding information needed to develop products that work on the new system.

“Despite pledges, press conference and speeches by Microsoft, the community of independent security companies that consumers rely on for computer protection has seen little indication that Microsoft intends to live up to the promises it made last week,” said Christopher Thomas, a lawyer representing McAfee in Brussels, in a statement.

Vista will be available to consumers in January.