I think they are talking more like digital observers, sort of like a multi-threaded passive search as opposed to a huge beam laser like contemporary virus programs use. As long as this new element uses no added privileges over any other read authorized thread then this doesn't add a path for transmission but it does increase the search area. It also decentralizes the virus protection protocols allowing the system to function despite basic malware attacks on the root level virus protection. Imagine if your virus protection was FUBAR but a single digital "ant" told you it found a dangerous malware, trojan or rootkit running that could affect it's "colony's" ability to remove it properly. This leads to better protection if anything.

"they're a bunch of greedy fools", "nothing but a sack of sleazy people". What kind of information is that? Character assassination is not the way to win an argument or even prove a point. PayPal stepped in and offered an innovative service where no reliable service existed. Google is popular, but at the same time it is basically the worst parts of Microsoft. They see an in point in an ALREADY established market and they throw money at it....at least lately (the last few years) it's only been money...NO INNOVATION almost. This is another situation where an entire company of stolen talent (reference the hostile employee buyouts from competitors) can't even revolutionize a product they just have to "give their spin on it". There is nothing great about Checkout except that you can get targeted advertising through it. Sooner or later people will realize that Google services are aimed at the advertiser and that is all they are aimed at. What's the problem with that? Well if everything Google does is inundated with advertising then people will know who to avoid if they don't want misleading information. Bad news for stock holders in Google, bad news for people shopping through Google and bad news for people searching through them.