Microsoft release anti-spyware software

alexj2002

Microsoft have released a preview of their anti-spyware software imaginatively called Windows AntiSpyware.

The product which is expected to be free to start with (but I bet it'll turn pay-for-updates in a few months) is available in Beta form at http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Note that isn't a final version and may have some problems in. I'd also recommend using a second program such as Spybot or AdAware.

sra

thanks alexj

LincsLad_3

Thanks for the info, but it may be as well to point out that as well as the program possibly having some problems, it may also screw your PC. Be aware that you are responsible for issues caused by beta software and will have no comeback on the company concerned (not that Microsoft will take responsibility for ANY of their software, but you know what I mean).

Personally I think I will survive with 3rd-party programs for now - Microsoft's reputation for PC security hardly puts them amongst the market leaders !! :-/

Rex_Mundi

As with normal Microsoft new releases, it might be better to leave this alone for at least 6 to 12 months. This way, hopefully they will find most of the major security flaws before you load it onto your computer.

Far better to stick with established anti-spyware programs at the moment.

sra

I'm assuming this is the version i heard about a while back based on giant so it isn't entirely new - though who know what microsoft have done to it.

alexj2002

Thanks for the info, but it may be as well to point out that as well as the program possibly having some problems, it may also screw your PC. Be aware that you are responsible for issues caused by beta software and will have no comeback on the company concerned (not that Microsoft will take responsibility for ANY of their software, but you know what I mean).

Personally I think I will survive with 3rd-party programs for now - Microsoft's reputation for PC security hardly puts them amongst the market leaders !! :-/

Nope but it's worth pointing out that anything is better than nothing and some people may be reluctunt to use 3rd party software.

Interesting to note MS's new software picked up 2 pieces of spyware undected by either Ad-Aware or Spybot (both with latest defintions) in a test i've just run on my PC.

As for it being based on the GIANT spyware program - it is most definately. A poor MS rebrand on this beta version - the logo looks like it was made in 5 minutes in MS Paint and Task Manager amongst others show it as GIANT.

Joe_Bloggs

How does this program treat Amazon's Alexa ? An alleged bit of spyware that Microsoft seem to sanction.
J_B.

alexj2002

Don't know - having problems completing the scan at the moment. It finds it and when it gets to the end of the scan, crashes. Beta software for you I guess. And it doesn't let you stop halfway through and deal with what it found.

But I should be able to find out if it's reported during the scan. Results in a few minutes for you.

EDIT: Alexa toolbar didn't appear to be detected.

peter_the_piper

Thought I'd give it a try, all worked well even though I had used and uninstalled Giant. Got rid of lots of rubbish. Might be worth keeping.

sra

just installed it.

found 8 things even though i've spybot and adaware.

A few of them were parts of reputable progams I have installed. Will just have to see if things stop working

alexj2002

What do others think of the speed of the scanner?

I've found it to be much slower than Spybot and AdAware but it does find additional files.

It's still not a definitive program - Spybot picks up some not found in AntiSpyware.