Lilly has lashed out at Apple CEO Steve Jobs, criticizing the use of Apple Software Update to offer the Safari browser on Windows machines undermines online security. However, many speculate that it has more to do with the fact the initiative would steal some of the market share of Mozilla's Firefox browser.

He writes on his blog: "What Apple is doing now with their Apple Software Update on Windows is wrong. It undermines the trust relationship great companies have with their customers, and that's bad - not just for Apple, but for the security of the whole Web."

Apple unveiled its Safari 3.1 last week, adding that it would offer the new browser to Windows users through Apple Software Update which alerts users to new Apple software with a pop-up window. Apple Software Update comes pre-installed on Windows machines, along with iTunes and Quicktime, ensuring that Safari will be offered to millions over the past week.

The pop-window that appears on Windows PC reads: "Safari for Windows is the fastest and easiest-to-use web browser for the PC. It displays web pages faster than any other browser and is filled with innovative features - all delivered in an efficient and elegant user interface."

When Apple first launched Safari for Windows last June, Jobs said he would piggyback the browser on iTunes. However, Lilly is still angry and argues that Apple Software Update does more than just politely offers the browser to Windows users.

He continues in his blog: 

"The problem here is that it lists Safari for getting an update - and has the 'Install' box checked by default - even if you haven't ever installed Safari on your PC... Apple has made it incredibly easy -- the default, even -- for users to install ride along software that they didn't ask for, and maybe didn't want. This is wrong, and borders on malware distribution practices.

"It's wrong because it undermines the trust that we're all trying to build with users. Because it means that an update isn't just an update, but is maybe something more. Because it ultimately undermines the safety of users on the web by eroding that relationship. It's a bad practice and should stop."

Lilly also denies any criticisms that he is more concerned about losing marketshare than security issues in a follow-up blog post:

"Lest anyone be at all confused about my motives in writing my recent post about Apple Software Update, I'll say this unequivocally: it isn't about competition. [I wrote what I meant in my post - there's no subtext at all - it's all on the page, so I won't rehash it here.]

"To the contrary: competition is good - necessary, actually. Competition - or, more the point, the ability of people to choose what tools and services they use - is essential, and without it nothing gets better."