Microsoft Antispyware Review

[llbbl]

PCWorld has a good article comparing Spy Bot, Adaware and MS's new product. This is an interesting quote from the article.

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119300,00.asp

The primary Scanning function of Microsoft AntiSpyware is fast and thorough. I found it able to identify the same three spyware threats that veteran spyware detectors Spybot Search and Destroy and Ad-Aware found on the system I used for testing. In fact, during my informal test, Microsoft AntiSpyware's scanning engine was able to scour my drive about twice as fast as Spybot Search and Destroy. Ad-Aware, however, was the fastest of the three.

Have you tried this product yet? What do you think of it. ?

[Ioman]

Is the MS one free? Where can you download it from?

[ECA]

yep, its free.
But as with most, its only 1 more tool, and this one still needs tweeking.
Its working pretty well, but its no better then the rest, and we need 2-3 just to kill the easy ones.

Keep It Free

I liked Microsoft AntiSpyware and see it as a needed addition to Microsoft-authored security tools for average users. My fingers are crossed that Microsoft will keep this collection of security and privacy tools free.

However, I don't recommend that you stop using competing products such as Spybot Search and Destroy or Ad-Aware. It's always a good idea to scan your system with another product (but not at the same time), just to make sure every single spyware and adware application is zapped.

[llbbl]

Yes it is free. I have updated our Spyware Reference Thread last week when it was released with links to where you can download it.

http://forums.designtechnica.com/showthread.php?t=5583

If you read the PCMAG article it doesn't sound like they put it through a very rigorous testing process. Also we have raised the question of updates to this software.

They said they will release updates on MS regular schedule which means when they get around to it. We are skeptical if they will be able to come out with new updates in a timely manner. The question is this: What is the time requirement for Anit-Spyware software updates to be released inorder to be effective in blocking of new types spyware to be released?

A Week
A Month
Two-to-Six Months

It depends on how fast the spyware spreads. Spyware is not as infectious as viruses so the release schedule of one month would work, as long as there is deep market penetration and the Anti-Spyware software has a proactive mode or runs scheduled complete scans.

[llbbl]

I love the new MS spyware program.There was even a head-to-hea study, not funded by MS, between it and AA and SB, and it found and removed the most nasty spyware bits. The whole community oriented thing is pretty nifty too.

NK sais this about the software in the other thread. Am moving his comment here and cleaning that thread up.

[Ioman]

Maybe you can review it for us to use on the site?

[llbbl]

I said this

MS community oriented are you out of your mind ... what are you reffering to NK?

ECA said this in response to NK

Ya,
HUH???
MS organized?
Accually doing something NICE???
BLOCKING there own adverts???

=)

[ECA]

WELL,
the article say that MS bought out GIANT.. who made a nice program..
And they are USEING there Anti bot program..

But as many KNOW..
MS Anti virus, and anti BOT, is only as good as the company... And Talk about FALTS, MISSed problems, backdoors...
I will wait and see... give it 2-6 months and watch for complaints..

[llbbl]

Maybe you can review it for us to use on the site?

Would need some time to infect my laptop computer with spyware to test it. I would need to first establish this baseline configuration before attempting to review a piece of software such as this.

[ECA]

And theres really 2 types of protection..
Prevention.
and FIXING after infection.

Its alot of work.

[llbbl]

Now if we could find a list of places to infect yourself with spyware you could test it out. The problem is that some of it is going to be harder to find than others and just because you have hard time trying to infect your computer doesn't mean that it isn't a problem to a wide number of people. The spyware just appearing might be a bigger problem in a few months and the software is less likely to catch these threats or multiple threats.

[ECA]

Very true..
Myself,
If you REALLy want a good infection, useing IE, I would hit the Hacking sites, and hacking search engines...
Want a few??

[openbsd-flipp]

Also install weather bug if you want a decent startup for spyware.

[ECA]

Then goto Yahoo, and MSN and play there online/Download games, thats wild tangent..

[llbbl]

If you REALLy want a good infection, useing IE, I would hit the Hacking sites, and hacking search engines...
Want a few??

Yea it would be good to start a thread and put the list in the form of a text file that people must download instead of linking directly in the forums post.

I wonder if Adaware or Spybot would give us a list.

[ECA]

Check altavista, they have HACK spider, and it shows all the hack sites.
GO AT YOUR OWN RISK, should be STENCILED on this site... MORE popups then GOD could deal with...
Head for any of the sites, odds are you will be tagged and bagged, so many times, you would think its a catch and release program, and YOU are the only FISH in the sea.

[johngo]

Hi
Have have Microsoft Antispyware and works well, found a lot of stuff.
but no more than spybot.. in my case.

john

[ECA]

I aint seen MS, work better then Spybot and adaware work together...

[johngo]

I aint seen MS, work better then Spybot and adaware work together...

Adware or Adware Spy?


from the last one I dint not found a free version..
well yes.. found a lot of things, but without register does´t repeair it...
...
jonh :cheers

[ECA]

ADAware...
NOT adware, this dont work and installs bots..

[updatexp.com]

I personaly use BOTH MS AntiSpyware and WebRoot's SpySweeper... This combination is really sweet!

Marc Liron
Microsoft MVP
www.updatexp.com
www.podcast-software.com

[llbbl]

Hi
Have have Microsoft Antispyware and works well, found a lot of stuff.
but no more than spybot.. in my case.

john


cool thanks for letting us know! :)

[llbbl]

Also install weather bug if you want a decent startup for spyware.

They call it weather BUG for a reason :P

[llbbl]

Here is picture of MS spyware finding Firefox as spyware. Do you guys think its reaL/?

http://img95.exs.cx/img95/272/mozillaadware4vs.png

[spankers]

No.... I don't.

[ECA]

IF so, its MS fighting NON-MS software..

[j0eStER]

Is SpyBot better? I have MS Spy-ware and Ad-Aware both are working awesum.

[ECA]

http://forums.designtechnica.com/showthread.php?t=8682
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1836008,00.asp

I will let TOHERS speak for me, on that subject.

[gobels]

I like Microsoft Antispyware. It's all in one Antispyware .

gobels.

[ECA]

you didnt read those links DID you..?

Let's look at the stated reasons why Microsoft has changed the recommendation for GAIN and ignore, as the company would have us do, the rumors it has not denied of an acquisition of Claria.

Microsoft, in a statement, said: "[We] decided that adjustments should be made to the classification of Claria software in order to be fair and consistent with how Windows AntiSpyware handles similar software from other vendors."

How does Microsoft handle similar software from other vendors? It turns out that Microsoft has a set of guidelines for evaluating spyware titled "Windows AntiSpyware (Beta): Analysis approach and categories."

I looked at these and similar guidelines from others in a column several months ago and was impressed. The guidelines struck me as a no-nonsense approach to the problem. Microsoft wasn't trying to set up loopholes for themselves or the spyware vendors, and it wasn't cheapening the standards in order to make the evaluation easier.

The standards are still there, and the document is dated March 15, 2005, so I assume they haven't changed. How then do we explain that Microsoft AntiSpyware now says to ignore GAIN, a program that exhibits many of the characteristics that the guidelines define as spyware? I can only assume the guidelines aren't the only input to the process. Given that business deal (the one we're ignoring, for the sake of argument), this is a scary possibility. And yet Microsoft denies it: "All software is reviewed under the same objective criteria, detection policies and analysis process. Absolutely no exceptions were made for Claria."