Microsoft Offering Free AntiSpyware Software

[timswim78]

http://www.microsoft.com/athom...y/spyware/default.mspx

Installed it at work and home. Picked up a few things missed by Adaware/Spybot. The real nice features (IMO) are the automatic updates and the real-time protection.

 

[CaptainJackSparrow]

Just downloaded it and am installing it now, nice clean XPish look and feel (if you like that sort of thing) . . . FYI it is a beta version so install at your own risk

 

[Slappy00]

oh and you need to "validate" your copy of windows before you download. Just so you know

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Slappy00
oh and you need to "validate" your copy of windows before you download. Just so you know

I have Windows 2000 and it asked me if I wanted to validate windows, but I did not have to. If you look at the options, the second option says something like "Do not validate windows and take me to download."

 

[rpl318]

I've been waiting for this. Thanks!

 

[lebe0024]

Okay, they're also planning on selling their own anti-virus software.

Doesn't anybody else think this is a huge conflict of interest?

"If our OS ends up having more holes than a cheese-grater, then our anti-virus software will be a best seller!"

 

[usernamemax20charact]

Originally posted by: Slappy00
oh and you need to "validate" your copy of windows before you download. Just so you know

FYI, no you don't. Direct link here.

 

[Smokin Gunn]

Thx for the post, this is what used to be Giant Antispyware.

 

[RaiderJ]

Originally posted by: lebe0024
Okay, they're also planning on selling their own anti-virus software.

Doesn't anybody else think this is a huge conflict of interest?

"If our OS ends up having more holes than a cheese-grater, then our anti-virus software will be a best seller!"

No kidding... why wouldn't they just patch their OS?

 

[mparr1708]

I think someone already mentioned it but this is in fact a rebadged Giant Spyware program. I do hope that MS does not screw up giants already very good spyware cleaner. IMHO giant has the best spyware cleaner out there. Adaware tends to leave things behind and you normally have to do 3 or 4 scans to catch everything. Giant is usually got it within the first go around and I have never seen it miss anything. I (like most people here I'm sure) work on pcs and servers for a living and I try to use the most effective tool I can. Giant has been it and I really hope MS doesnt botch it up. Just my 2 cents.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: mparr1708
I think someone already mentioned it but this is in fact a rebadged Giant Spyware program. I do hope that MS does not screw up giants already very good spyware cleaner. IMHO giant has the best spyware cleaner out there. Adaware tends to leave things behind and you normally have to do 3 or 4 scans to catch everything. Giant is usually got it within the first go around and I have never seen it miss anything. I (like most people here I'm sure) work on pcs and servers for a living and I try to use the most effective tool I can. Giant has been it and I really hope MS doesnt botch it up. Just my 2 cents.

For how much was Giant selling this software? I wonder how much MS will charge...

 

[Slappy00]

pretty nice....

Got to hand it to MS for having a clean interface

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ

Originally posted by: lebe0024
Okay, they're also planning on selling their own anti-virus software.

Doesn't anybody else think this is a huge conflict of interest?

"If our OS ends up having more holes than a cheese-grater, then our anti-virus software will be a best seller!"

No kidding... why wouldn't they just patch their OS?

Most spyware is user installed anyway. You can't patch the stupid.

 

[RaiderJ]

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: RaiderJ

Originally posted by: lebe0024
Okay, they're also planning on selling their own anti-virus software.

Doesn't anybody else think this is a huge conflict of interest?

"If our OS ends up having more holes than a cheese-grater, then our anti-virus software will be a best seller!"

No kidding... why wouldn't they just patch their OS?

Most spyware is user installed anyway. You can't patch the stupid.

So true....:brokenheart:

 

[nallur]

The guy was talking about anti-virus software, not the anti-spyware software.

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: RaiderJ

Originally posted by: lebe0024
Okay, they're also planning on selling their own anti-virus software.

Doesn't anybody else think this is a huge conflict of interest?

"If our OS ends up having more holes than a cheese-grater, then our anti-virus software will be a best seller!"

No kidding... why wouldn't they just patch their OS?

Most spyware is user installed anyway. You can't patch the stupid.

 

[statik213]

Where is this validation crap stuff? Couldn't find it.

Neat interface though..... is it really freE?

 

[Slappy00]

Originally posted by: statik213
Where is this validation crap stuff? Couldn't find it.

Neat interface though..... is it really freE?

http://www.microsoft.com/downl...671&displaylang=en

This download is available to customers running genuine Microsoft Windows. Please click Continue to begin Windows validation.

its only "recommended" though so no biggie

 

[gsellis]

OP - The Giant stuff is reported to be better than what you are sticking with. You might consider giving it a try.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: gsellis
OP - The Giant stuff is reported to be better than what you are sticking with. You might consider giving it a try.

I just installed it (on my machine at work). Seems to be a nice interface. The real-time protection and auto updates seem to be nice also.

Wonder how much this will cost in the future?

 

[conehead433]

With MS this probably has spyware of it's own. Spybot works great for me.

 

[gsellis]

Giant was supposed to find more without false positives.

Did just see a thread in OT that claimed it replaced a Google link with a MSN link. Not personally verified. Will check it later.

 

[Tannahill]

I like it. Found a few items Adaware missed.

 

[rhacquer]

Most spyware is user installed anyway. You can't patch the stupid.

THAT is worthy of being quoted! I salute you, Nightfall.

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: Tannahill
I like it. Found a few items Adaware missed.

Same here...found 3 things on my system both up to date version of Adaware and even the beta version of Spybot didn't find. !!

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: rhacquer

Most spyware is user installed anyway. You can't patch the stupid.

THAT is worthy of being quoted! I salute you, Nightfall.