Oh...now this is all getting too confusing.
Posted on 01/06/2005 7:43:54 PM PST by Next_Time_NJ
Microsoft releases its Beta 1 version of its new Anti-Spyware software. It blocks over 50 ways for spyware to enter your computer. I have downloaded it and checked it out. It’s very upfront and to the point. I have some REALLY nasty test programs and it stops everything I can find in its tracks.
One of the very cool parts of this software is that it will kill spyware that is currently memory resident. Most spyware software will require a reboot and then rescan at system start up.
Firefox/Mozilla had an issue downloading it, so just use IE for the install. You don’t need IE to take advantage of the program once it's installed; it’s in your tray.
When trying to download the software it will check for a pirated copy of windows. If you are "unsure" if your version of windows is legit - STAY AWAY from loading the active X mod that it will install.
Other then that, it’s a nice piece of software.
Any sense of how buggy the stuff is?
Working as designed, no doubt. "DOS ain't done til Lotus won't run."
So far all is well.. works like a charm at this point.
And R.J. Reynolds has just released their stop-smoking kit.
> If you are "unsure" if your version of windows is legit -
> STAY AWAY from loading the active X mod that it will install.
In other words this MS software is itself spyware.
Figures.
How does it do this and where did you hear that it did?
Hence the real reason for this new trojan horse...er, program. Yeah, new program, that's the ticket. The fact that this will finally address the annoying pop-ups and spyware that have plagued IE is only secondary.
"Any sense of how buggy the stuff is? "
Not bad; I'm just on the "second patch".
URL? I'd like to try it.
It doesn't suprise me that Firefox has a problem w/ a M$ download. Firefox doesn't do MSN or Hotmail or windowsupdates very well either (if at all).
I install AdAware and Spybot as a matter of routine in my clients workstations. I've rarely needed a reboot, and those that I've had are to rescan after removing a piece of carpware, er, spyware. In some cases (badly infected computer) spybot will ask you to reboot, and scan before login.
The program that does require a reboot is McAffee antivirus, so that's what you might be thinking. However, rebooting after updating / installing antivirus isn't exactly an unexpected event.
I'm glad to see M$ is getting serious about this issue. SP2's firewall was a step in the right direction.
Will M$ release weekly updates to the spyware programs, like AdAware and Spybot and the various antivirus programs? If so, how will they handle the legal issues?
geek49203, IT geek
So it's really spyware, not anti-spyware software?
Most beta stuff from Microsoft has just screwed my system up.
[chortle]
Ummm no.. its making sure you dont have a pirated version of windows before you install its software?
Its not spyware.. its anti-spy
Microsoft is such a joke.
You actually found something made by microsoft that works longer than 2 weeks? NO way! Like the joke goes, "What`s the difference between John Kerry and Windows Xp..Windows Xp works once in a while". Everything I have ever used by Windows has been so overloaded with bugs, it makes Michael Moore look like Mr.Clean, and that`s saying a lot about a fat bastard who wears the same black shirt for years on end. Even Microsofts X-box. I bought that thing last year and already it`s bugging out over playing DVD`s. It doesn`t matter how clean, how scratch free the DVD is, they all lock up or skip whenever I play one. And just try to open an X-box to see if it`s dirty inside, impossible. You literally have to smash the thing apart.
Minimum system requirements for Windows AntiSpyware (Beta):
•
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
•
A 300 MHz or faster processor with at least 64 MB of RAM
•
Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server™ 2003
•
At least 10 MB of available free space on your hard disk
•
Internet access with at least a 28.8 Kbps connection to use SpyNet™
____________
Looks like I'll be sticking to Spybot and Ad-Aware. Neither of them is as bloated or as picky about hardware.
We in the computer industry use things called 'labs' for beta software.
I can point you in the direction of a website that would install software on your computer when your using firefox, without you knowing.
I love beta software :) -- I back my system up weekly.. something goes bad.. im good.
Hotmail isnt.. you can use it on Firefox.. i do.
We'll just have to disagree on that. It doesn't matter to me, as it won't run on Win 9x boxes anyway, and that't what I use for the internet.
I don't know why anyone would continue to us IE. It's a huge magnet for spyware.
There is a very big flaw in Firefox that i have posted in there forum. Remember, when you draw a lot of attention to yourself (like mozilla did in the last year with there 10,000,000 downloads) people will try to punch holes your software just to be a d*ck and prove a point.
I'd be one of those FReepers who would download MS Anti-Spyware and never be heard from again (I know, who cares?).
I have a perfectly legit copy of Windows XP, but from my personal experiences with Microsoft products, that wouldn't make a bit of difference.
bump for later perusal.
Spyware is not only browser based. Obviously.. you can get it when its attached to software that you install.
Actually when one thinks about it, the real trojan horse is, charging the users of this product down the road in the future. It's free now, but nothing is free for life.
Exactly. If your just a casual home computer user with one computer, stay away from beta releases. Anything goes wrong, the computer owner is responsible for damages or loss of data.
Like others have said, I run netscape and mozilla with no trouble. I have spyblaster running, use spybot and ad-aware, plus zone alarm and norton. I never have anything on my computer. If I use IE, I can get junk within minutes. I understand about downloading programs, but I'd rather do it from a browser other than IE.
Oh...now this is all getting too confusing.
Every software tester has the heart of a code writer.
In a jar on his desk.
Alternate direct download site and avoid all the Microsoft install stuff.
http://www.softwarepatch.com/security/microsoftantispyware.html
I'll take you on those offers.
1. Post the place which will plant something via firefox. I'm calling you on this one partially because I know that M$ tends to brainwash their people, and partially because I'd like to see for myself if its true.
2. "Very big flaw"? I read all the IT stuff, from /. to Sharktank. I must confess that I haven't heard of it. I know that there was one last July that was quickly patched; ironically, that was during the M$ Partner Conference, and it was mentioned in every sales session! Again, I'm calling you on this one because I'm not sure if you just have drunk too much M$ koolaid, or if its really true.
Browse around grc.com (Gibson Research) and you'll find tests that will poke holes in any browser. I use Firefox and have tried them and when not running a firewall, Firefox hasn't been able to stop grc.com from obtaining plenty of info on my browser.
does it have an un-install feature? did you have system restore turned off or on?
The best site I've found for defending against spyware, repairing browser hijacks, and other irritating aspects of life on the Internet is www.majorgeeks.com. My father-in-law managed to get his PC really fouled up. Using a few of the freeware and shareware programs from MajorGeeks, he cleaned it all up. He's not a Luddite, but he's not exactly a tech either. Hit the site. Bookmark it. Some day you will need it.
From MajorGeeks you can download Spybot and AdAware, which have been recommended (I use both). I also recommend SpywareGuard.
Entrepreneur
Yes you can uninstall it
hehe ok:
1. http://cool-search.biz/traf/30955/in.html <--- this is the URL that will install software if you are running firefox. If you have a new version of norton it will pick up all the nasty things it wants to install (notice, firefox says nothing). If you have norton, disable it, and check out your task manager and Hard Drive light when you go to this URL. After, use a spyware program to remove all the spyware it installed on your computer.
I think I've figured out why your Xbox is having trouble playing DVDs.
Adaware is my choice to. This new MS anti-spyware is nice though.. has some stuff others dont have it seems, so far.
I just downloaded and ran the Microsoft Spyware and did it ever do a neat job of cleaning up my puter. Found 9 spyware threats, 19 spyware files infected and 92 Registry Keys infected. Even found so real old spyware embeded from long ago such as Kazaz... Was thinking of taking my puter in for service because everything was running at snail pace, but now it's running like a sewing machine.... Really satisfied.
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