Microsoft Anti-Spyware beta

Microsoft gets into the anti-spyware business

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=321cd7a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&DisplayLang=en
from WinCustomize Forums

Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves Internet browsing safety by guarding over 50 ways spyware can enter your PC.

The worldwide SpyNet™ community plays a key role in determining which suspicious programs are classified as spyware. Microsoft researchers quickly develop methods to counteract these threats, which are automatically downloaded to your PC, so you stay up-to-date.

The user must be an administrator to install this application. Current Giant AntiSpyware users with active subscriptions are advised to continue to use their existing software.

Hat tip: www.neowin.net

10,253 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I grabbed this earlier today and ran some brief tests. So far so good. I had just scanned yesterday with Adaware and spybot so it was no suprise that it didn't find anything. Interesting though that it did cast an evil eye at Dameware. It gave a good explanation of what it thought and gave me clear options on what to do with it. Time will tell.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is nothing more than a Re-Badge of Giant, which has been around for years, and Microsoft bought them a few weeks ago. Interesting enough, Microsofts deal didn't include the database, so they can't touch the updates for it unless they payoff another company.

Its bloatware, fairly effective for people that use IE, almost useless for Firefox users - and fairly substantial bloatware. Lots of false positives on this one, beware.

Spysweeper is much better and lighter. I got a free license to Giant awhile back from a guy I knew there, and wasn't impressed enough to use it - nor would I be more impressed if it was rebadged to Microsoft.
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's nice to see Microsoft making some sort of an effort in regards to the spyware debacle, considering it's their operating system all this crud is takign advantage of. They chose an effective existing product - Giant - and are going to offer it to their customers. This might be the same approach their new antivirus initiative ends up taking, too.

However power users feel about Giant, or Microsoft, this is still a good thing. More regular users will have a solution on hand, meaning the spyware has less room to propegate. If they end up offering it through Windows Update, hey, that could essentially kill the market for the time being.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Installed the beta. Pretty easy to configure. It didn't find anything, but my system is very clean. My other spyware scanner did find one item it classified as spyware that this didn't find....Microsoft's Passport cookie
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Heres a faily good review of Giant for those interested:

Link

also, heres a independant test of antispyware products:

Link
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
My own feeling is this is like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
My own feeling is this is like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse.


I was thinking that it's more like trusting the people that built this leaky henhouse, with the roofing contract.

On the one hand I guess it's useful that they know where the holes are to be found - on the other, I'm too busy being ticked off that the holes are there, to thank them for applying the patches.

On the whole if I relied on IE, I think I'd rather they were promising to build me a new roof.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You know, I cant help but wonder..
If vandals (who have contracting experience ) knock holes in your roof ( by having contracting experience they know where the weak points are ), would you slam the contractor himself?

I still think linux and firefox are built very nicely, but they just aren't as popular "roofs" as Windows and IE, therefore the vandals just haven't gotten around to them as much yet. As I said in another thread, it is painfully obvious that as something gets more popular the vulnerabilities are exposed and thus attacked more frequently. I have never seen a "perfect" piece of software and I would wager nobody else has either.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I once wrote a program to track bowling scores in basic. I think around 1982. BULLETPROOF, DOS 5 wasn't too bad either.LOL
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
STEEEEEEE-RIKE! I stand corrected
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
None catch all; however get the three best Spyware catchers and you'll rid yourself of most if not all the spooks. I've tried Adawrare, Spybot, and MS. All caught something the others didn't.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It says that it expires on July 31st. Does anyone know if we will have to then purchase it, or what?
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's still in beta and as far as I know MS hasn't said one way or another.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
funny thing about it. My kids have msn messenger installed and messenger plus. Antispyware identifies this as high level spyware and it's a MS program.

left hand knows not what the right hand is doing?
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am using this product and so far it has been excellent. Some programs that are allegedly freeware have spyware embedded into them. This is the first product that has taken care of the problem and has successfully removed the spyware