Microsoft Antispyware Beta

So far, finding stuff that no other program I have used has found.

[BennyBlanco]

I figured that 'general' was as good a place as any to post about this, but the new Microsoft Antispyware utility is working beyond my wildest expectations. I have used HijackThis, Norton, Mcafee, and many others and so far this program is blowing them all away. I have not had it long enough to be able to comment on how good the updates are. But as of right now, it appears that their knowledge database is quite current.

Here is the download, sorry if it gets edited out per TOS : MS Anti spyware download [microsoft.com]

[edited by: engine at 6:38 pm (utc) on Jan. 11, 2005]
[edit reason] formatting [/edit]

[txbakers]

I find it interesting that they want you to delete Giant anti-Spywre first. I've been using Giant for quite some time and to me it's the best one out there.

Maybe MS ripped off the code from Giant (or made a deal with them - certainly MS wouldn't write their own spyware program from scratch.)

[encyclo]

The Microsoft product is the Giant software one rebadged, with a few little extras like a check on your Windows XP license activation code. MS bought Giant software in early December 2004.

[BennyBlanco]

Yeah, was gonna say the same thing. Bought, repackaged, and improved from what I can tell.

[txbakers]

MS bought Giant software in early December 2004

Well doesn't that just figure! I don't like the license check though......

[encyclo]

I don't like the license check though...

I have a family member who was stung by this: he has a new laptop with a genuine Windows XP license sticker on it. Trouble is, the shop where he bought it had used it as a demonstrator, and had reinstalled it with a cracked key just to save time. The license key check is perhaps good for scaring grannies into paying twice for the same software, but is ineffective against true software pirates.

[Sanenet]

Ho ho - I get "This publisher could not be verified. You should only run software from publishers you trust." message when installing. Do we trust Microsoft?

[Tropical Island]

The license key check is perhaps good for scaring grannies into paying twice for the same software, but is ineffective against true software pirates.

At what point do they ask for the license key check? Is this an automatic process or a manual one?

I live in a 3rd world country and the computer came pre-installed with Windows XP Pro XP2 and no installation disc. If it is not an authorized copy what will happen if I try to download this new program? I have no problem with automatic updates.

[encyclo]

Tropical Island, I believe that even if it indicates that the license is not valid the program will still run - for the moment.

Also, whilst the beta is free, the plan is that the program will be a subscription service once officially launched, I assume via MSN. So, if you have an invalid license (for whatever reason), if you run this program, Microsoft will know who you are and have your credit card details already on file ;)

[bcolflesh]

Have some money? - then your spyware will be removed from the def list:

[netrn.net...]

[txbakers]

I don't know about you but I find that weatherbug an incredible piece of spyware. It wouldn't be so bad by itself, but all the extra ads and junk they force upon you!

Bye-bye weatherbug.

[timchuma]

I tested it yesterday, no problems with it so far.

I will leave it running for a couple of weeks to see how it goes.

Thanks.

[lgn1]

The nice thing, it allows you to get rid of all those hidden IE explorer history files, which can really frag your disk after a while. (In Advance Settings)