XP Maximized: Microsoft AntiSpyware - Beta Released - Jan 05
What is Microsoft AntiSpyware?
I downloaded and tested the program this morning, and it found 11 spyware programs that adaware and spybot missed.
The Antispyware program was an easy install, ran without problems, and removed the spyware it found.
Microsoft Anti-Spyware is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. A beta version of the software is now available to users of Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server™ 2003. Details on timing and terms of availability for new anti-spyware offerings beyond the beta version are yet to be determined.
For the best anti-spyware solution from Microsoft, the security enhancements in Windows XP Service Pack 2 will combine with the capabilities of Windows AntiSpyware to:
Detect and remove spyware. This will help customers identify and then disable or remove known spyware and other potentially unwanted software from their PCs. Customers experiencing the common symptoms mentioned above can use this solution to help rid their PCs of existing spyware and help keep their PCs in working order.
Windows AntiSpyware provides fast, comprehensive scanning of your PC's memory, files, and registry for spyware. Users can learn more about spyware that is discovered on their PC using the online spyware library, a Web database that contains descriptions of known spyware. The Windows AntiSpyware Scan Scheduler enables the scheduling of regular spyware scans to help maintain your PC.
It is also important to enable customers to stay in control of what is running on their PC. The Internet Explorer Add-on Manager in Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides advanced users and support professionals with a way to see which Internet Explorer browser add-ons are installed and running. Using this new feature, add-ons installed without user consent can be easily removed.
Expanding on this concept, Windows AntiSpyware includes System Explorers, which enable users to quickly discover and remove hidden or potentially unwanted programs that may have been installed without their consent. System Explorers provide comprehensive views of the following areas:
Applications. The user is informed of programs that are running, communicating on the Internet, starting automatically when the PC is turned on, and add-ons that are being used for Internet Explorer.
Internet Explorer. The user is informed of the current Internet Explorer browser settings (such as home page or search page), what toolbars are loaded, and what browser helper objects (such as integrated file viewers or music players) are being used.
Networking. The user is informed of software that may automatically redirect the PC to unwanted Internet sites or change information coming to the PC over the Internet.
System. The user is informed of programs running that listen to all commands executed on a PC.
Known good programs are identified, making it easier to find and remove those that are potentially unwanted.
Improve Internet browsing safety. In addition to detecting and removing known threats, both Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows AntiSpyware provide features to improve the safety of Internet browsing.
Windows XP Service Pack 2 already provides protection against two common ways that spyware installs itself on a PC. The Pop-up Blocker in Internet Explorer helps prevent installation via pop-up ads, and the Internet Explorer Information Bar also helps suppress unsolicited downloads.
Windows AntiSpyware provides continuous protection by guarding more than 50 ways Web sites and programs can put spyware on a PC. If known spyware is detected at these security "checkpoints," it will be blocked. If an unknown program is detected at a checkpoint, intelligent notifications ask the user to determine whether to let the program continue. The following types of agents monitor the security checkpoints:
Internet agents. These agents help protect against spyware that makes unauthorized connections to the Internet or changes a PC's Internet settings such as dial-up or wireless connectivity.
System agents. These agents help protect against spyware that makes unauthorized changes to the PC, such as changing password settings, security permissions, or other critical system settings.
Application agents. These agents help protect against spyware that makes changes to applications, such as modifying Internet Explorer by adding an unwanted toolbar, automatically downloading Internet Explorer add-ons from the Internet, or starting potentially unwanted programs when the PC is turned on.
In addition, some types of spyware aggressively change some Internet Explorer browser settings, such as the home page or search page, and resist your attempts to change them back. The Browser Hijack Restore feature allows users to quickly restore more than 15 Internet Explorer settings that are persistently changed by spyware.
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