New Anti-Spyware from Microsoft

The machines we love to hate

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Joey Ace
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New Anti-Spyware from Microsoft

Post by Joey Ace »

Free, beta version, download here.

I just installed it on our XP Pro Computer. I like it a lot.

It's like Ad-Aware and Spy-Bot combined in a easier to use interface. I really like the way it describes the threats it finds.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 18 January 2005 at 07:30 PM.]</p></FONT>
Bob Markison
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Post by Bob Markison »

Joey - thanks! It's about time Microsoft got more involved in protecting its vulnerable system - and the price is right. The descriptions are indeed the best so far. As always, I set a system restore point before cleaning off any spyware. Thanks again. - Bob
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Roy Thomson
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Post by Roy Thomson »

I downloaded it and ran the full scan.
I like it better than Spybot and Adaware.
Thanks Joey.
Roy
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Lawrence Lupkin
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Post by Lawrence Lupkin »

I ran a full scan with the Microsoft program and it came up with nothing. I then proceeded to run both the Spybot and Ad-aware program, both of which found numerous problems.

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Jody Carver
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Post by Jody Carver »

What is the cost to subscribe?
Tom Diemer
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Post by Tom Diemer »

You might want to read this first. Might be a joke sight, not sure...
http://www.bbspot.com/News/2005/01/microsoft_antispyware.html <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tom Diemer on 19 January 2005 at 04:20 PM.]</p></FONT>
Jim Phelps
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Post by Jim Phelps »

It's a joke, unless Microsoft really also plans to sell advertising on the blue screen of death...<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 19 January 2005 at 06:01 PM.]</p></FONT>
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Joey Ace
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Post by Joey Ace »

The bbspot site is a Satire (Joke).

My original Microsoft link is real, and still on-line, even though bbspot says Microsoft pulled it.

It's free, Jody. (my favorite price)
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Bobby Lee
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Post by Bobby Lee »

What's the definition of "spyware"?
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Joey Ace
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Post by Joey Ace »

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Bobby Lee
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Post by Bobby Lee »

I gotta rant on this a bit.

It's Microsoft's fault that "spy ware" is invading our computers. In Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, they included ways for programs to self-install without the user's consent. This is shameful!

Contrast with a Mac. When a program tries to install itself on a Mac, the user is prompted for the system password. If you don't want the program, you don't enter your password to give it permission to install. Makes sense to me!

I use ZoneAlarm on all of my PCs, and it prevents unauthorized programs from "phoning home". ZoneAlarm is a very techie solution, though. I wouldn't expect my Mom to be able to figure it out. Microsoft's after-the-fact solution falls into the same category, in my opinion. Instead of addressing the root problem, they are putting the responsibility on the user to clean up the mess that they caused.

Shame on Microsoft! Image

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Jon Jaffe
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Post by Jon Jaffe »

I agree b0b, and as a result networking PCs has become more cumbersome.

But for us un the Mac world that also wish to know if any application is attempting to make a network connection, I suggest Little Snitch. Cheap, elegant implementation, and very effective.
http://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html
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Jim Smith
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Post by Jim Smith »

B0b, are you running XP SP2? If so, do you still use Zone Alarm with XP's built-in firewall?
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Bobby Lee
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Post by Bobby Lee »

No. I found XP's firewall to be counterproductive in my office environment, and I haven't yet installed SP2. I use ZoneAlarm on all of my PCs.
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Joey Ace
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Post by Joey Ace »

Mac Users....
2% of the market, 98% of the attitude!
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