Microsoft AntiSpyware Software to Remain Free

Betanews ^

[Next_Time_NJ]

Speaking at the RSA Conference Tuesday, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said the company's recently released anti-spyware product will remain free. "Just as spyware is something that we have to nip down today, we have decided that all licensed Windows users should have that protection at no charge," Gates said.

[Next_Time_NJ]

I am very impressed with there beta software so far. Works great for me. I have used it with Ad-adware and Spybot and its much better. It also works great because all your new and unknown spyware is auto sent to a update server pool.

[bahblahbah]

There wouldn't be spyware if M$ code was secure in the first place. If they made people pay for it then I would consider that extortion.

[kezekiel]

Interesting move... there are already several quality free anti-spyware runtime scanners, along with several quality always-on scanners. Why would Microsoft buy a commercial program and then give it away without charge?

[Next_Time_NJ]

99% of spyware comes from people embedding software within freeware software. Learn what your installing before you click the setup button.

As for active X controls - if your a fool and click yes to everything on the internet you deserve what you get.

Whats left Linux? Lindows? Mac OS? LOL .. I have a lindows system.. its a pos

[7thOF7th]

BTTT

[Next_Time_NJ]

Because they can? They also bought out a bunch of antivirus companies and word is they will be free too. With all the antitrust stuff going around they may have to breakup one day. Why not have the best OS package out there.

[Brian328i]

I've never tried Lindows or whatever they changed their name to but from the reports I've read I haven't heard much good about it. Try http://slax.linux-live.org/ or http://www.knoppix.org/ for a better Linux distro without installing it.

[TChris]

Cool! This is, from my experience with about 20-30 installations, a very solid product. It found and eradicated malware that both Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D missed. Good stuff.

[HungarianGypsy]

I have been using this program. It's the best one I have had.

[jude24]

Probably because one of the biggest issues MS has to deal with on tech support is issues arising from spyware. It's a huge problem for Dell, HP, etc. as well.

[HamiltonJay]

I just wonder how many trojan horses and back door info feeding MS has put in this product.

[TommyDale]

"There wouldn't be spyware if M$ code was secure in the first place."

As much as we all dislike Microsoft, this is not a fair statement. Even Firefox is subject to spyware, as I have to clean my system on a daily basis.

[js1138]

There wouldn't be spyware if M$ code was secure in the first place.

Sorry, but spyware is voluntarily installed with the permission of the user. The "vendor" lies to the user, but the fact is the user downloads it and gives permission to install it.

[standupfortruth]

I am very impressed with there beta software so far. Works great for me. I have used it with Ad-adware and Spybot and its much better. It also works great because all your new and unknown spyware is auto sent to a update server pool.

I too, have found it very effective and packed with functionality. However, I feel like another freeper who said that it would be extortion if Gates decided to charge us to plug the security holes THEY created!

[Brilliant]

They figure it's safe to give away this program without inviting antitrust charges because everyone else is giving away free programs that do the same thing. Next, it'll become part of IE.

[Next_Time_NJ]

man all you anti-MS people sound like anti-bush people. No matter what they do .. bad bad bad..
Backdoor Feeding? Watching Wargames again?

[Paul_B]

Can't even find the thing on my system, not even as a Service. Probably no loss.

[Dominick]

99% of spyware comes from people embedding software within freeware software. Learn what your installing before you click the setup button.

Wrong. Most comes off webpages. Freeware is different from malware. People download software from untrusted sources who ADD malware like Gator after the fact.

MS is at fault for making such a wide open web interface, it is like having a screen door in a high crime neighborhood. Even if it was a solid door, people open it all the time, and MS Windows doesn't allow people to see what is really running on the system like a *nix system does. You can't "ps -ef" on a windows box.

The other problem is that people don't read the EULA, and the concept of EULA doesn't mean a contract has been made. If you notice, most EULA cases get settled. A contract requires a chance at a meeting of the minds, it isn't clear that a EULA gives you that chance.

[Doohickey]

bahblahbah is right.

[Next_Time_NJ]

They didnt create anything. You cant make a program bugless.. its impossible.. Yell at the people that look for the problems because they hate MS so much. Also they have inside leaks that give people information that they should not have about the OS (Remember over 1/2 the source code was leaked).