Microsoft joining anti-spyware party

[wherzwaldo]

The Link

I can hear the plot similarities now...

Terminator: A bunch of learning, intelligent computers seek to conquer the world with the aid of SkyNet.

AntiSpyware: A bunch of learning, intelligent spyware programs seek to conquer the world with the aid of SpyNet.

 

[Agent007]

Sorry to be an ***, but how is this HD material?

 

[kevwun]

Probably because it's about a software program

 

[OhYouSuck]

It is, basically MS bought out a company that produced and distributed "Giant Spyware" which is a REALLY kick *** spyware program. I do tech support for microsoft at a local austin company and we found out about it a week ago, and so I went out and got it, it's uber bad ***. Definately recommend it, if for anything just to have in case stuff goes wrong on your comp.

 

[next2naus]

Don't expect MSFT to do anything significant in this arena, the AV vendors will pick it up, it's more their forte.

 

[OhYouSuck]

this program is actually really cool. most a/v programs dont do much with spyware, mcafee has a half-assed spyware program and norton just added spyware scanning to their norton 2005, this thing is by far the best i've used. like most people i was using ad-aware & spybot, but this one is alot better. im actually in a training class for how to use this thing. it does a whole lot of stuff. checks host file, default URLs in your registry, execute hooks, system.ini file, tcp/ip parameters, all kinds of really good stuff. i'd definately recommend you check it out when MS makes it public on the 11th.

 

[wherzwaldo]

Stupid question: Is it going to be free? If not, how much will it cost?

 

[OhYouSuck]

yeah, it'll be free.

 

[kevwun]

The spyware scanning in Norton sucks ***. It's never able to delete the files it finds.

 

[jmatt]

Well if they charge, no matter how good it is, I'd be surprised if all that many folks buy it because there are WAAYYYY too many good and reliable and FREE malware/adware scanners out there.

Ad-Aware, Spybot, Hijack This, Browser Hijack Blaster, Toolbarcop, and Spyware Blaster to name a few.

 

[next2naus]

MS bought the tech from some German company, it'll be good and it'll free but it will be suplanted by the AV vendors. I'm the space.