Conceding that its strategy of patching Windows holes as they emerge has not worked, Microsoft plans next week to outline a new security effort focused on what the company calls "securing the perimeter," a company executive told CNET News.com.

Although Microsoft will continue to devise ways to improve the means by which Windows users apply upgrades, or patches, to their software, the company had realised that too many customers don't upgrade quickly enough to thwart hackers.

"From our side, (it) has been a little naive to think that all of those customers are going to do patches," said Orlando Ayala, Microsoft's former sales chief, who now heads its sales push to small and mid-sized businesses. "It's just hard."

However, recent worm and virus attacks have repeatedly shown that many customers remain vulnerable long after patches have been released, he said.

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