Let's be realistic: If tomorrow MS folded and Linux was the only desktop option available (ignoring things like Mac, etc.), the focus of virus/phish/worm/trojan writers would be on Linux. The pay-off just isnt't there right now because Linux is (a) used by a much smaller percentage and (b) that smaller percentage typically has higher skill levels, implying (c) tighter security. It's all demographics. Malware developers target their work on where the payoff is. MS users typically click through wizards and havent' got a clue what settings do what. That leaves them wide open and clueless. That's the demographic "slice" MS markets to, so that's what consequences they can expect. Is it good or bad? No. It just "IS".

I'm sorry, but I personally don't think rogue developers are that demographically directed towards in their malware writing. The fact remains more people know how to develop on the windows platform than any other platform. That means more code is written and more exploits are found with or without the intent to do so.

"I'm sorry, but I personally don't think rogue developers are that demographically directed towards in their malware writing."

I think I read that to say that you don't think malware writers target their software towards anything. They just write it on whatever they can? Correct me if I'm wrong.

If that is what you are saying, then I would have to completely disagree. Here's an analogy: when a terrorist makes a bomb, he doesn't go set it off in the middle of nowhere. He goes to the area with the most dense population or the most damage potential and sets it off.

You'd better believe malware writers are thinking about where their software will be effective. Lovsan virus anyone? Blaster virus anyone? I don't think I need to go on...

While it is a "nice" product, and they didn't develop it, they acquired it, I wouldn't put a lot of faith in a product intended to fix a problem created by the same owner. Complacency led to the problem. Complacency is also the primary cause for inadequate security measures. Complacency doesn't go away in short time.

That's interesting so is complacency the largest developerbase in the world. Microsoft developers have more secure software writing training than just about any other software house. The reason there are so many exploits for windows is simply so many people are trying to crack it, and an even larger number will probably stumble across security holes during regular software development.

Does windows Anti-Spyware block Windows media player from transmitting information...or error reporting...or product activation? har har

No but you can by changing the settings.

@wincement
It is their own stupid fault. Stupidity is the reason why spyware, viruses etc have such a grip in the pc world but isn't the purpose of antispyware software etc to help these people?

"Stupidity is the reason why spyware, viruses etc have such a grip in the pc world"

I agree 100%. Antispyware software can only do so much. It's up to the PC users to educate themselves about what they are actually doing.

**EDIT**
There's also a button that says "Post reply" on each comment. Just a friendly FYI: it's easier to use that than making a new comment and saying "@wincement"

(I'm not being sarcastic at all)

Can you think as fast as a computer? I sure as hell can't. I also can't observe what's going wrong as fast as a computer can exact damage. Stupid users are always going to be lambs to the slaughter, but that's a ubiquitous problem for them; they can't even get their software to work right without virusses and spyware in the mix.

You don't have to "think" as fast as a computer. This is almost ridiculous that I have to explain this. This should be the first thing anyone does when they start having trouble:

1) Disable Internet connection
2) See what processes are running
3) Disable all processes that aren't necessary one by one and see if the problem goes away.
4) Boot up into safe mode and remove the file or files that was/were associated with the problem process.

This should only be necessary in extreme cases. The rest of the time, if the user was smart enough to put up proper defenses (firewall, AV software, anti-spyware), there shouldn't be a problem at all. Of course, that's assuming that the user that was smart enough to install those programs is also smart enough to not open e-mail attachments that they didn't ask for.

@gawd21 & wincement
Alot of pc users using Antispyware will trust Microsoft's judgement and ignore this thus ALLOWING it to infect their pc.
Claria is a known high risk malware threat, how can any decent antispyware program ignore it by default?

If "Claria is a known high risk malware threat," and "Alot of pc users using Antispyware will trust Microsoft's judgement and ignore this thus ALLOWING it to infect their pc" then it's their own stupid fault.

I've said it time and time again. A PC's security is 80% user knowledge. The rest of it is the software configuration of the PC.

Don't forget that on the right hand panel of MS AS you will have all the pertinent information about what the object is and anyone that knows how to read it should and base your decision on what they read. (As I stated in another forum.) You wouldn't go in a machine shop and start using the machines without training would you? You wouldn't want to use a new TV without reading the manual first to make sure you have it hooked up right would you? Oh I forgot this is where more people couldn't set the clock on the VCR years ago. NM forget my remarks.

The software part is only useful if the vendor decides to make certain aspects (settings) exposed for the "educated" user to take advantage. When the problems arise from buffer overflows and stupid, boneheaded programming idiocy like that, you're helpless until the vendor decides to patch it.

Seeing how most computer users are self-taught, there will have to be some ramp up time before a reasonable level of security can be reached. Even if a friend tells a novice to updated all their signatures daily, weekly, what have you. If they don't know how to do that or understand why they're doing it, it's unlikely that they'll keep their computer up to date.

Agreed. But that doesn't negate the fact that PC security is HEAVILY dependant on user knowledge. In fact, it enforces it.

Note to gawd21,
Practice what you preach. Your apparent fact is old boring news. Who doesn't know the MS, months ago bought Giant software!

You really should read before you post. I was telling people for the record and the list that I was giving a link to still called it Giant.

Microsoft Student 2006
This is the newly released version, any version released before is corrupted or fake.
Very high speed download using eMule.

ed2k://|file|Student%202006-Ind.iso|3303495680|65541DA43CCEAD96C5748C53ED45B972|/

Microsoft Antispyware now allows adware from Claria (formaly Gator) among others.

http://www.eweek.com/art...2/0,1895,1836008,00.asp

Microsoft want to spy on YOU. Always have, always will.
Personally i use Adaware, Spybot and Spywareblaster and Outpost as a firewall as Zonealarm is easy to disable remotely or by a virus.

Wrong. They don't "allow" it. It is still identified.

The default action for it was changed to ignore. I'm not sure if that has been changed back or yet, but MS has recognized the error.

Maybe you should read it. It was that they changed it from delete/quantine to ingore but if you read before you click you can get it without a problem. I am sure that you don't read or you would know that.

Personally i run a firewall(zonealarm) and use Adaware,Spybot & Spywareblaster along with XP Sp2. I rarely get popups and never need to worry about anything. I run Adaware and spybot once a week to clean to 5 or so items that sneaked in. But nothing is perfect. Point is my solution uses no system resources cause none of them run as a service. I don't ever have a virus program installed. Havent needed it in years.

Here to help clear some things up. MS Bought Giant AS, now here is a report a little old, but still good. Read it yourself and you will see that Giant AS was clearly the best. Facts not opinion! http://spywarewarrior.co...test-guide.htm#descript

EDIT: I didn't see the link below sorry.

People .............Counterspy is the best. Remember you get what you pay for. This saying is quite true in this day and age. Spend 20 bucks and get Counterspy.

Give some facts not opinion.

Deleted, double post.

It would be in Microsofts interest to offer Windows AntiSpyware for free, as part of the problem is the vulnerability of the windows code to allow spyware to be "pushed" onto a PC without the users consent.
Personally, having used Spybot Search & Destroy, Ad-Aware and Spywareblaster (all not bad in their own right) I have found the best programme that has made all these obsolete (although I still run Spybot...) is Acronis Privacy Expert Suite 8.0.748. This programme is much more than just a spyware remover/blocker, but the antispyware abilities are great. Only problems are that it costs, and many may consider it bloatware because of all the extra functionality it offers. But a download of nearly 30MB shouldn't be a huge issue for broadband users. Their are updates for spyware available every few days. Superb programme!
Considering Acronis are the author of the best backup utility available PERIOD, Trueimage 8.0.xxx, then i'm not suprised Privacy Expert Suite is as goog as it is.

First of all, the person saying Spybot and Ad Aware are better has no clue what he / she is talking about. All three products catch different threats and do a good job but detailed testing will reveal that the one which catches the most across the board is the MS product.

Period.

Secondly, the reason that product will remain free is quite simple: they can't table a corporate version. The company that built the product that MS bought sold the corporate version to another company before MS bought them and that other company has exclusive rights. MS only has rights to the end-user version. Corporate is where the real money would have been made.

Totally agree

My machine slowed to a crawl with the beta of antispyware. I sure hope that the gold version is much better, as of now though I won't touch it again.

removed by Jofin

Spyware Doctor!?!?

You have to be joking. I wasted 5 minutes of my time installing that program and another full hour playing around with it. The only time I didn't waste on it was the 2 minutes I spent uninstalling it shortly after. I will never install it again.

**EDIT**
stupid typos...

removed by jofin

Spyware Doctor sucks, and NOT FREE.

BTW, Giant Antispyware (a.k.a. Microsoft Antispyware Beta) is a better anti-spyware software than Ad-Aware (even the Pro version) and Spybot S&D. Just read the review at http://www.spywarewarrior.com

Although you are right about installing Ad-aware and Spybot (plus SpywareBlaster) too to prevent spyware. Just so you know, Spybot or Ad-aware or MS Antispyware Beta alone are not enough to stop spyware attack.

First off, please stop shouting at me ;-)

Second, it's called a 15-day trial (they had that at some point, although it is not offered anymore). No I didn't crack it nor did I download it from a torrent.

Don't be so quick to judge.

I clean people's computers as a side-job. I haven't had one unsatisfied customer yet. I know what I'm doing. I dislike Spyware Doctor for the same reason I dislike Norton. Their software looks like a fisher price toy and is next to worthless as far as efficiency. I find that, while not as easy to use, A-Squared and Spybot S&D are far more effective at finding ALL traces of spyware on a computer. I still use Ad-Aware and MS Anti-Spyware, but most of the time, they don't find anything after running Spybot and A-Squared. Oh yeah, and Spyware Blaster's immunization is miles ahead of Spyware Doctor.

I spent an hour playing around with it to make sure I didn't just pass it off without a fair test. I tested several different spyware programs on it. I also tried to see how it affected normal system activities. I looked through every frikking setting the thing had to see if it was worth my time at all. It wasn't.

If you really want to know what my system specs are, see below:

Intel P4 3.4Ghz
2GB DDR PC3200 400Mhz RAM
2X 120GB SATA drives

Not everyone that disagrees with you is a 10-year-old punk. Someone might actually have an informed opinion that happens to differ from yours. Try to remember that ;-)

It really is ridiculous that I'm sitting here at 1a.m. arguing about spyware removal software.

**EDIT**
I can't even spell "yours"... yeah... it's late

removed by jofin

removed by jofin

I was anable to find anything that would support what you said about MS/Giant AS not being listed as one of the tops on any site.

gawd21, just to prove I do not tell lies or make things up,:-
http://www.anti-spyware-reviews.net/spyware.html

partly removed by jofin!

Well they didn't rate MS AS in there, several reasons one being that it doesn't remove viruses.

EDIT: The one that is listed as #1, I have never heard of and I just asked a few others and they never heard of it either. Where was this test done at?

Oh I give up. You obviously want to tell everyone how wonderful MS Antispyware is, so go right ahead.
I do not like being nasty but did you even bother to read the page. These are spyware and adware removers. Who the hell mentioned anti virus software.
All the programs mentioned on this page, on the above links webpage are not anti virus. Do you even know the difference.
As for your edit note - are you daft? I've never heard of you - does that mean you do not exist?

lol. Now this is just plain funny. Ignore the rest of my post, but get hung up on the very first statement.

*ahem*

(from Dictionary.com)

Exclamation point: 1. A punctuation mark (!) used after an exclamation.

Exclaim: 1. To cry out suddenly or vehemently, as from surprise or emotion. 2. utter aloud.

I'm sorry for judging your three exclamation points in a row as shouting. I was clearly off-base and was proven unequivocally false by the definition given above. I have clearly skeletonised and misinterpreted the English language. I retract all statements and offer my deepest apologies.

*ahem*

I read it you must not have it states very plainly,"Our Top 5 Choices are listed below. These products have been proven to get rid of Spyware, Adware, Viruses, Popup ads, Trojans, and Web Bugs from your computer."

It states that they have tested dozens and the 5 listed are the best, in their opinion.
Please don't reply any more. Its bed time here and I've got a sore head.
By the way, did you get your nickname here from people saying "God its him again".

"By the way, If anyone would like to send me a full working copy of anti spyware programs, I would be very happy to test them all and forward an honest opinion of each to this website and also to their email address, so they do not miss the findings."

Wait... so you're advertising about wanting to steal software? =(

and I love you to.
Perhaps we may even agree one day.

I understand, it's hard learning to read. I will over look your mistakes.

removed by jofin

The difficult part for you seems to be in writing the English language and you have the audacity to suggest I cannot read!
Very sorry I didn't realise you were only 14 which coincidentally seems to match your IQ.

Um, dude, it is written in English that all of those that are listed: "Our Top 5 Choices are listed below. These products have been proven to get rid of Spyware, Adware, Viruses, Popup ads, Trojans, and Web Bugs from your computer." Do you not see where it states VIRUSES and note that it uses the word "and". So ergo it is stating that they are also virus removers! Thank you and have a good night.

EDIT: You can't read yet it's my fault and you call me 14. Also you know you were in the wrong that is why you went and removed most of your posts.

Why'd you remove all your posts?

that action = weird

I removed the posts because I cannot stand clowns like you.
It is interesting however, that you did not disagree that your IQ = 14.
I'll keep my opinions to myself in future!

I really don't think it is worth passing opinions with clowns like Gawd21 on this website. All the best in the future wincement, certainly no hard feelings here.

...ummm ok

so I'm a clown?

oh well. w/e

does that mean I get to wear a red nose?

You would rather call me names and act as if I am stupid than to admit you were wrong. Now that is funny. I was never saying that those tests were wrong, just that what you were saying was wrong. The site stated that they were included as virus scanners too. Now if you felt that you needed to leave that part out in your mind, fine whatever works for you. However the site maybe wrong in listing it and stating that they are virus removers. You really should learn to read something and take it for what it is and not add to or take from it.

EDIT: Who here feels that if you use the words "These products have been proven to get rid of Spyware, Adware, Viruses, Popup ads, Trojans, and Web Bugs from your computer. ", that it is stating that it removes viruses? Am I wrong in believing that it is part of what this sentence means?

I didn't say you were a clown!

Unfortunately, that seems to be an error made all too often with posts on this website. People read it the way they want to, rather than the way it is intended.
I clearly stated that Gawd21 was a clown and from other comments about him, others agree.

This is my final post on Betanews!!!!!!!!!!!

I've never heard of you so you do not exist.

Yes you are certainly a legend in your own tiny mind!

"This is my final post on Betanews!!!!!!!!!!!"

I'm sorry to hear that. Nothing should ever make you stop voicing your opinion. The day that someone isn't allowed to say how they feel is the day we've all turned into communists.

Just for clarification, I thought you called me clown because you said "clowns like gawd21". Nothing big. I didn't care anyway.

hey guess what.

I'm a clown like you!

Let's go have a clown party.

You should stop smoking the dope.

I see and others think we are fools, because they can't read.

Well, I, at least, am happy to hear it'll still be free.

I still use MS Anti-Spyware in my anti-spyware arsenal. One more program can't hurt, and it's resident shield catches some things that Spybot ignores.

All in all though, Spybot and A-squared are my big guns when it comes to removing stubborn spyware infections (I clean people's computers as a side-job). Ad-Aware is about as effective as (maybe less than) MS Anti-Spyware IMO.

Though it will remain free, I still say no thanks...
I'd rather use Spybot or Ad-aware instead.
They're a lot better...

are you ok buddy? I'm a linux user but on my windows machine MS antispyware is definately the best antispyware program ever made period. It does exactly what its supposed to do and does it well. Have you ever even used it? Microsoft knows the operating system inside and out and knows the source code. They know what is good and what is bad and how to tell the difference. Ive never had a spyware app they MS antispyware cannot remove. Ad-aware sucks compared to them. Ad-aware's background scanner doesn't even work.

??. Even though Microsoft may know their operating system inside and out that doesn't mean its better than spybot or adaware. personally i don't use ms antispyware, Ill use it perhaps once it goes out of beta. I work at a computer store and we load in spybot and adaware for customers. As long as they run the two programs once every week or two we rarely see antispyware problems with new systems. Of course Spybot is not full proof nor is Adaware but both of them together makes a great combo. It will be interesting to see what Microsoft does once it comes out of beta. Remember bud, Microsoft didn't build Microsoft Antispyware they bought it from Giant Antispyware.

MoRpHeUs2003

Microsoft as you may not be aware did not create Giant (microsoft) anitspyware. Isn't it sad they have to buy other company's out on a regular basis to prevent them from spending their own cash on research and development. See now that is true innovation at its finest. We at microsoft inovate, right microsoft lets see you come up with an idea out of your back side that is truely original. Absolutely nothing you compete in comes from your own engineering marvel. Absolutely everything they have was bought or the idea was stolen. Microsoft will rule the world offically one day, lets just say they plant a back door inside of Windows Vista, heck every government computer system in the world uses Windows, not to mention pc user 90 percent anyway. You will not punish us for breaking the law outright or we wil destroy your way of life as you know it. Think that sounds crazy, think about it, "The net" could really come true, piss microsoft off enough and who knows what they are capable of.

I agree. MS Antispyware is a great app. I use Spybot and Adaware, but MS beats both hands down. It's resident shield is great too. I'm not saying that it is perfect, just a very good application.

No thanks, I can use other third party apps which are-
1. Always Free

2. dont make me validate/activate/givemybloodysoultobillgates

3. More effective.

lol @ #2

in fairness, MS isnt the only company that uses activation/validation. I believe Norton does (or at least did) too, but i wouldnt use that abomination anyway.

Having had extensive experience with the retroactive abortion that is SAV 9 (essentially NAV with a corporate face), I couldn't agree more.

The product is garbage.

1. if you read the article you would know that this is free.

2. So what if it makes you activate? Would you want people stealing your product that you worked hard on?

3. It is the most effective antispware program there is.

Anyone that has used M$ anti-spyware will tell you that it's a great program. It seems that people jump all over it because it's a Microsoft product, but it works! As far as the argument that adaware, spybot, or any other third party spyware remover works BETTER than anti-spyware, that's completely untrue. These programs are fine in addition to M$'s software, but come on... Microsoft knows their operating system better than lavasoft or the likes, and having used it since day one of its beta release, I'm thoroughly convinced it outperforms any third party's alternative.
Quit complaining about the validation process, it's hardly intrusive, and if you own the Operating System in the first place, what's the problem? If you think it's just another case of Microsoft trying to become Big Brother, trying to collect 'personal data' from you, newsflash - they already are.
The only real complaint I could see for this software is that it's a resource wh***, but systems nowadays come with enough RAM that they can deal with a little sloppy programming that uses more resources than it has to.

not complaining, just saying thanks but no thanks. And i never said it was bad. But if u want to use it, more power to ya. Also there are better ways to remove some spywares. Also, ad-aware and spybot aren't necesarrily better, but there are others tools out there for the advanced user that can do a much better job then any of them from within an infected system. To me the MS antispyware is good for the regular shmoe that may get a little spyware here and there, but for a really hosed up system (or nasty that gets past the guard, and they do) none of them are going to cut it. If that were the case, i would have no income :)

If i worked hard on it, i would charge money for it. Not give it away for free with the catch that i have to validate my computer on some microsoft database somewhere. Sorry, not for me. And i really don't mind, i use Auto Patcher to patch my windows. And i own a valid purchased liscence for XP, so i will do whatever i dam well please with it (including taking out the activation crap)Don't care about flippin EULA's. Im not selling it to anyone or using it for profit. Thank you!

If you don't care about the EULA, then don't use Windows. Use Linux or something. The validation is not that hard, provided that you have ORIGINAL version of the OS.

I do also use Linux, and i love it. If only the rest of the world i work for would too :|

What does Microsoft knowing their operating system better than anyone else have to do with a product from another company being better? Unless Microsoft made their own anti-spyware program or substantly altered the one they got from GIANT, then your comment makes no sense. Please try to have better arguments for your statements.