Posted on 01/06/2005 7:43:54 PM PST by Next_Time_NJ
Microsoft releases its Beta 1 version of its new Anti-Spyware software. It blocks over 50 ways for spyware to enter your computer. I have downloaded it and checked it out. It’s very upfront and to the point. I have some REALLY nasty test programs and it stops everything I can find in its tracks.
One of the very cool parts of this software is that it will kill spyware that is currently memory resident. Most spyware software will require a reboot and then rescan at system start up.
Firefox/Mozilla had an issue downloading it, so just use IE for the install. You don’t need IE to take advantage of the program once it's installed; it’s in your tray.
When trying to download the software it will check for a pirated copy of windows. If you are "unsure" if your version of windows is legit - STAY AWAY from loading the active X mod that it will install.
Other then that, it’s a nice piece of software.
Any sense of how buggy the stuff is?
Working as designed, no doubt. "DOS ain't done til Lotus won't run."
So far all is well.. works like a charm at this point.
And R.J. Reynolds has just released their stop-smoking kit.
> If you are "unsure" if your version of windows is legit -
> STAY AWAY from loading the active X mod that it will install.
In other words this MS software is itself spyware.
Figures.
How does it do this and where did you hear that it did?
Hence the real reason for this new trojan horse...er, program. Yeah, new program, that's the ticket. The fact that this will finally address the annoying pop-ups and spyware that have plagued IE is only secondary.
"Any sense of how buggy the stuff is? "
Not bad; I'm just on the "second patch".
URL? I'd like to try it.
It doesn't suprise me that Firefox has a problem w/ a M$ download. Firefox doesn't do MSN or Hotmail or windowsupdates very well either (if at all).
I install AdAware and Spybot as a matter of routine in my clients workstations. I've rarely needed a reboot, and those that I've had are to rescan after removing a piece of carpware, er, spyware. In some cases (badly infected computer) spybot will ask you to reboot, and scan before login.
The program that does require a reboot is McAffee antivirus, so that's what you might be thinking. However, rebooting after updating / installing antivirus isn't exactly an unexpected event.
I'm glad to see M$ is getting serious about this issue. SP2's firewall was a step in the right direction.
Will M$ release weekly updates to the spyware programs, like AdAware and Spybot and the various antivirus programs? If so, how will they handle the legal issues?
geek49203, IT geek
So it's really spyware, not anti-spyware software?
Most beta stuff from Microsoft has just screwed my system up.
[chortle]
Ummm no.. its making sure you dont have a pirated version of windows before you install its software?
Its not spyware.. its anti-spy
Microsoft is such a joke.
You actually found something made by microsoft that works longer than 2 weeks? NO way! Like the joke goes, "What`s the difference between John Kerry and Windows Xp..Windows Xp works once in a while". Everything I have ever used by Windows has been so overloaded with bugs, it makes Michael Moore look like Mr.Clean, and that`s saying a lot about a fat bastard who wears the same black shirt for years on end. Even Microsofts X-box. I bought that thing last year and already it`s bugging out over playing DVD`s. It doesn`t matter how clean, how scratch free the DVD is, they all lock up or skip whenever I play one. And just try to open an X-box to see if it`s dirty inside, impossible. You literally have to smash the thing apart.
Minimum system requirements for Windows AntiSpyware (Beta):
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Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
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A 300 MHz or faster processor with at least 64 MB of RAM
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Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server™ 2003
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At least 10 MB of available free space on your hard disk
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Internet access with at least a 28.8 Kbps connection to use SpyNet™
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Looks like I'll be sticking to Spybot and Ad-Aware. Neither of them is as bloated or as picky about hardware.
We in the computer industry use things called 'labs' for beta software.
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