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| Microsoft AntiSpyware to stay free |
| Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 20:50 by Laurence Norah |
In a move that no doubt cynics will see as a push to monopolise yet another market, Microsoft have recently revealed that their new AntiSpyware tool, currently only available in beta form, is to remain a freely available piece of software.
Microsoft's AntiSpyware software is based around the Giant AntiSpyware tool, which when under the control of Giant was not freely available to users. However Microsoft are keen to stress how committed they are to security, and this is part of that plan.
Speaking at a keynote address, Bill Gates stressed the following:
Our primary goal is to improve security and safety for all our customers -- consumers and businesses, regardless of size -- through a balance of technology innovation, guidance and industry leadership. We're committed to continued innovation that addresses the threats of today and anticipates those that will undoubtedly emerge in the future.
Since it became available at the beginning of January, over 6 million users have downloaded the beta of the software, and to be fair is has received fairly universal acclaim. Whilst still only in beta the software does a pretty good job of protecting users from all types of malware attack.
Security is clearly a big thing for Microsoft at the moment. A recent purchase of an anti-virus firm, as well as the high profile release of Windows XP Service Pack 2, itself full of security enhancements, shows just how seriously Microsoft are taking security at the moment. However, many feel that this is all a little bit too late. The software that Microsoft are now giving away for free is to help users patch up an operating system that many feel should not have problems like this in the first place. Still, at least something is being done about it.
There are still other pieces of software out there if you don't trust Microsoft's tool a great deal, or would prefer a multi-pronged defence strategy. The excellent Ad-aware from Lavasoft is available as a free download, and Spybot Search and Destroy is another handy free utility. However, given the knowledge that Microsoft have of their own OS, we'd advise users not to dismiss the tool out of hand. Give it a go, you may be surprised.
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| well thats something free for once. i bet they did that since they know it's gonna be pirated. plus, bill gates can pay for this since he's the richest man in the world |
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| Actually, he isn't' the richest man in the world. Ingvar Kamprad, the Swede who founded furniture retail chain IKEA, is. I've used the MS AntiSpyware since it was released as a beta, and it's pretty good. I hope they keep it up. Spyware sucks. |
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| untill downloading ms antispyware, I had a bug ID'd as Cydoor by Spybot-S2D. I was unable to get rid of it completely, as it would re-gen. MS Antispyware was able to name it and the application it road in on, and clean it completely out (some 8 or 9000 entries). And since then, it had indeed worked pretty well. Spyware sucks indeed. |
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| Haha, I like that. When you go to download it, you get this message:
"This download is available to customers running genuine Microsoft Windows. Please click Continue to begin Windows validation."
I use Spybot Search and Destroy personally but was going to give this a shot. But after seeing that I wouldnt give them the honor of being able to say " yey ! thats 3 genuine XP's this month !" :p
And to think I was going to jokingly comment about piracy related to this product. Hah, I can see the future :o |
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