New Anti-Spyware from Microsoft

Post by **Joey Ace** » 18 Jan 2005 7:08 pm

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.[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 18 January 2005 at 07:30 PM.]

Bob Markison · Post by **Bob Markison** » 18 Jan 2005 10:42 pm

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

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 19 Jan 2005 11:05 am

I downloaded it and ran the full scan.
I like it better than Spybot and Adaware.
Thanks Joey.
Roy

Lawrence Lupkin · Post by **Lawrence Lupkin** » 19 Jan 2005 11:05 am

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.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 19 Jan 2005 12:19 pm

What is the cost to subscribe?

Tom Diemer · Post by **Tom Diemer** » 19 Jan 2005 4:18 pm

You might want to read this first. Might be a joke sight, not sure...
http://www.bbspot.com/News/2005/01/microsoft_antispyware.html [This message was edited by Tom Diemer on 19 January 2005 at 04:20 PM.]

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 19 Jan 2005 6:00 pm

It's a joke, unless Microsoft really also plans to sell advertising on the blue screen of death...[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 19 January 2005 at 06:01 PM.]

Post by **Joey Ace** » 19 Jan 2005 7:12 pm

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)

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 19 Jan 2005 8:10 pm

What's the definition of "spyware"?

Post by **Joey Ace** » 20 Jan 2005 4:33 am

MS has an article on that question at http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/spywarewhat.mspx

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 24 Jan 2005 12:00 pm

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!

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
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Sierra Laptop 8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, C6, A6)

Jon Jaffe · Post by **Jon Jaffe** » 24 Jan 2005 12:24 pm

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

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 24 Jan 2005 3:35 pm

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

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 24 Jan 2005 3:51 pm

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.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 24 Jan 2005 7:34 pm

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