As promised, here is my first take on the Microsoft beta release of its anti-spyware software. I ran it on a PC that I'd run Ad-Aware on and Ad-Aware told me the PC was clean. As you'll see from the screenshots, MS Spyware did find one item that was missed.
I then ran it on a second PC that was identified to have 8 known spyware threats and the MS product found them all. So it would seem Microsoft has released a fairly standard offering that I suspect will become closer tied to the OS in the upcoming releases. I would also suspect that a subscription fee will be introduced once the beta stages are completed. I was skeptical at first, but thumbs up to Microsoft for releasing this good addition to the anti-spyware apps!
Why do you sound surprised that they might charge a subscription fee for this software? Norton isn't free. Neither is McAfee or other such tools. You always seem to bash Microsoft's efforts. This software company, before Microsoft purchased them, charged for the software so why shouldn't Microsoft?
Posted by: xmon | January 06, 2005 at 08:18 PM
Kind of ironic, isn't it, that you post this item about Microsoft battling spyware on the very same day two of my colleagues independently learned how Microsoft MediaPlayer and the Windows Media Format can be exploited to deliver mal-ware in a package as innocuous as a pop tune.
Posted by: mrG | January 06, 2005 at 09:19 PM
xmon
I wouldn't say that I always bash Microsoft. If you read through my blogs, you'll find lots of things I like (ie. MSN Search, Halo).
As for the subscription comment, I was merely speculating that they probably would charge a subscription fee for this app. If they do, then yes, they will be doing what other companies do and in some cases, what other companies don't do. My opinion is this, however, that it is the architecture of the OS that allows for spyware and adware to do what they do in the first place, so why shouldn't Microsoft remedy the problem with their product for free. Why charge the user extra for this?
Posted by: mip | January 06, 2005 at 10:34 PM
It's true before Mircosoft bought Giant they were they were, IMO, the top anti-spy app on the market.
I would agree with the poster though that this product should continue to remin free as the product would have no purpose if MS didn't have so many security issues.
That doesnt mean Firefox isn't going to be targetted by scumware people in the very near future.
It will be interesting to see if MS persues Mozilla-centric malware.
Posted by: Spyware Review | February 02, 2005 at 08:53 PM
Just a post to respond to Xmon, LOTS of these apps are free, and have been for quite awhile.AdAware and SpyBot search and destroy( 2 of the best) have been and will continue to be.As for alternatives to Norton, AVG or Kaspersky..or quite a few others..free, and have also are not so memory intensive as Norton.
Posted by: bub | February 04, 2005 at 12:26 AM
I tried the beta version also. I had just run adware and got no hits then I ran the microsoft and got 4 hits one involving over 200 files. I like it so far but I noticed that my bandwidth tester on Firefox is disabled and now all my downloaded firefox extensions seem to be gone. I will ck it out with firefox before I jump to any conclusions.
Posted by: Dudley | February 19, 2005 at 08:16 AM
I haven't tried the Microsoft Spyware app, mainly because the MS tech forums have some horror stories related to the beta. I'm happy with SpyBot Search & Destroy which is 100% free and keeps my computer clean. I've been using it for almost 2 years now and haven't had a major problem until 2 months ago when I got infected by the annoying EliteBar trojan. It was impossible to get rid of that trojan EASILY until somebody finally developed a TrojanKiller for it, which I ran in Safe Mode and it fixed my problems.
So basically my question is, will Microsoft implement a trojan killer in their anti-spyware app? It seems the most problematic malware is Trojan-related. Anyone who has had the EliteBar trojan can vouch for this: Random Internet Explorer windows popping up with ads, at least 15 windows would open just displaying ads, and I'm sure there was more spyware on those html pages. I'm glad I switched to Firefox last summer, but it's really annoying when IE starts opening up on its own to display banners I could care less about.
Well I'm finished my rant now.
Posted by: wreck | March 07, 2005 at 09:27 AM
Microsoft have said it will remain free once the beta has ended.
Posted by: Quitch | March 16, 2005 at 05:24 PM
Please post where you have seen that as I do not know of any Microsoft product that is not for profit(either hidden or posted)
And just for the record..I did try it out, and yes it found files that were so called spyware...allowed by microsoft internet explorer(which I rarely use, nothing was found in my firefox/mozilla)and they were harmless cookies.IE was designed from the ground up to be hijacked, and before anyone spams about this..it doesnt mean it was intentional, it means it wasnt researched and tested well...like the 30 critical updates to security on XP..so far....
Posted by: bub | March 17, 2005 at 01:23 AM
Microsoft Spyware on my system has yet to pick up anything, even though subsequently Lavasoft does. I seriously question whether it serves any purpose at all.
Posted by: Bernard | April 05, 2005 at 03:47 AM
I've found that MS Spyware picks up some things that Lavasoft doesn't and the other way around too. I run them both just to be extra cautious.
Sam
Posted by: sami | April 08, 2005 at 12:19 PM