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[Macam]

I just wanted to point out that Microsoft has a beta of their Windows AntiSpyware tool currently available at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&DisplayLang=en. You'll be required to use IE and verify your copy of Windows via an ActiveX script, but it's worth it. My first scan so far caught a number of spyware programs and leftovers (11) that updated and fresh scans of both Spybot, Ad-Aware, and SpySweeper didn't catch. Seems that MS's purchase of Giant Company Software is paying off already; now if they'd only pick up Eset's NOD32 and integrate that...

In any case, I didn't see this posted anywhere even after a search, so if it's a dupe, someone please delete this thread until I shed this Junior Member nonsense

 

[border]

Microsoft beta software? Something tells me that it will fuck up my system even more than the spyware....

 

[God's Hand]

I use tons of Microsoft software (Windows XP, Windows 2003, Internet Explorer, Media Encoder, Messenger, etc.) and have never had a problem with security or viruses. I don't even have a virus scanner. Never have. Good for me.

 

[retardboy]

I use tons of Microsoft software (Windows XP, Windows 2003, Internet Explorer, Media Encoder, Messenger, etc.) and have never had a problem with security or viruses. I don't even have a virus scanner. Never have. Good for me.

I'm exactly the same way... I've never had a virus scanner before. I've never had a problem with my Windows not being secure. I think most of the time, it's just because people download stupid things. I do have a spyware remover though, but haven't needed to run it since SP2 took them away.

 

[CaptainABAB]

Unlike most spyware programs, this one protects you in real-time (like most anti-virus programs) instead of requiring you to run periodic scans all the time. But you can do entire scans as well.

 

[Macam]

Just a quick update concerning the antispyware beta Microsoft released, as I spotted this on MSNBC just now on their coverage of the release:

"Microsoft disclosed last month that it planned to offer software to remove spyware programs that are secretly running on computers. But in a shift from past practice, Microsoft said it may charge consumers for future versions of the new protective technology, which Microsoft acquired by buying a small New York software firm.

Kaplan said the free version of Microsoft’s new spyware-removal software will expire July 31 and pricing for future versions is still undecided. Rival anti-spyware tools, such as Lavasoft Inc.’s popular Ad-Aware product, offer similar functions to Microsoft’s, and many are free."

Swell. Use it while you can, I suppose.

 

[Joe]

from what ive, giants (MS's) anti-spyware software was among the best.

 

[sonicfan]

I've been running a real time anti spyware tool from PREVX , and so far its worked fairly well. And the home version is free.

 

[Bregor]

I use tons of Microsoft software (Windows XP, Windows 2003, Internet Explorer, Media Encoder, Messenger, etc.) and have never had a problem with security or viruses. I don't even have a virus scanner. Never have. Good for me.

Or more likely you are unaware of the viruses / spyware that you have, since you lack the software to warn you.

 

[Kon Tiki]

I just wanted to point out that Microsoft has a beta of their Windows AntiSpyware tool currently available at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...&DisplayLang=en. [You'll be required to use IE and verify your copy of Windows via an ActiveX script, but it's worth it.

Awesome. It doubles as an Windows Anti-Secure Tool also.

 

[The Faceless Master]

Awesome. It doubles as an Windows Anti-Secure Tool also.

i downloaded it fine with mozilla and didnt verify...

all i did was select the radio button that said:

No, do not validate Windows at this time, but take me to the download.

 

[DarienA]

I just wanted to point out that Microsoft has a beta of their Windows AntiSpyware tool currently available at: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&DisplayLang=en. You'll be required to use IE and verify your copy of Windows via an ActiveX script, but it's worth it.

... I don't remember doing this during the install.

 

[human5892]

I think they have a bit of nerve asking people to (eventually) pay for something that scans for spyware that mostly only exists because of security issues that they built into their own OS in the first place.

I'll keep using AdAware and Firefox, thanks.

 

[Kon Tiki]

I think they have a bit of nerve asking people to (eventually) pay for something that scans for spyware that mostly only exists because of security issues that they built into their own OS in the first place.

I'll keep using AdAware and Firefox, thanks.

Why not? They make people pay for Windows Media Centre/Extender when SMB, their own tech, does the same job.

 

[Pimpwerx]

I think they have a bit of nerve asking people to (eventually) pay for something that scans for spyware that mostly only exists because of security issues that they built into their own OS in the first place.

I'll keep using AdAware and Firefox, thanks.

Beat me to it. They're gonna charge people to patch a flawed product? WTF? I'm not gonna use it, and I don't give a shit. Fuck MS in the ear. That's a load of shit. If Windows wasn't such a pile of shit OS, we wouldn't need spyware removal. This should be built-in. If they really try and charge people for it, I hope it's cracked and pirated in a day. There's no way in hell they deserve money on top of the already unrealistic price of the OS. PEACE.

 

[DarienA]

If you go through the link at download.com you avoid that whole active x verifying windows bull.

All of you people bitching about how it might eventually be charged for? That's fine... however why not use it now while it's free? If it's an additional barrier to prevent spyware from getting on your machine, it has good features and it's free it doesn't hurt to use it now.

BTW I should point out that this is not the first free beta that has in it's license agreement the right to charge down the road if they choose to... sometimes it comes to pass, sometimes it doesn't.

 

[human5892]

If you go through the link at download.com you avoid that whole active x verifying windows bull.

All of you people bitching about how it might eventually be charged for? That's fine... however why not use it now while it's free? If it's an additional barrier to prevent spyware from getting on your machine, it has good features and it's free it doesn't hurt to use it now.

BTW I should point out that this is not the first free beta that has in it's license agreement the right to charge down the road if they choose to... sometimes it comes to pass, sometimes it doesn't.

I will probably check it out now...I posted before I noticed that people were able to download it using Firefox/bypassing ActiveX.

 

[EdLuva]

Or more likely you are unaware of the viruses / spyware that you have, since you lack the software to warn you.

IAWTP

 

[iapetus]

I use tons of Microsoft software (Windows XP, Windows 2003, Internet Explorer, Media Encoder, Messenger, etc.) and have never had a problem with security or viruses. I don't even have a virus scanner. Never have. Good for me.

If you don't have a virus scanner, how do you know you don't have any viruses?

 

[Macam]

Yeah, sorry, I wasn't aware of not needing to validate Windows prior to installling it. I have a legal copy, so I didn't much mind, but there you go, it can be circumvented.

Like someone else said, they may not end up charging, and then again they may -- but given that it's a potential constant revenue source, especially something that Microsoft can leverage and that would be a benefit to most Windows users, I think they probably will in the end. I don't even mind paying it if it continues to work as well as it has on the first run and isn't too steep, since there's always maintenance and security costs inherently associated with most products, at least if you want them to work as well as they did initially. And admittedly, while I think it probably should be free just based on the problematic security scene Windows has had the last few years, I can't entirely blame Microsoft for Windows' endless security faults (although they do share a good chunk of it). They should've been far quicker to respond to the threats and they should've certainly made stronger attempts to prevent further exploits than they have, but ever OS has vulnerabilities and when you have over 90% of computer users using your OS, well, it's bound to happen. Anyway, I don't much care to derail the topic as just get the word out on an useful tool.

 

[Fatalah]

This reminds me of GIANT anti-spyware...the logo looks the same.

 

[slayn]

if you have viruses, and don't know you have viruses, is there really a problem such that they need to be checked for and removed?

 

[Macam]

This reminds me of GIANT anti-spyware...the logo looks the same.

It is. Microsoft purchasd Giant Company Software late last year I believe.

And to slayn, yes, potentially. It may not do anything drastic, but chances are, if you have a virus, it's doing something that will just end up eating up your PC's resources.

 

[slayn]

But even if it is eating up you rresources, for someone to not notice it must be doing a pertty tame job of it. And thus you wouldn't care. My point is that if the people saying they never had viruses/spyware and never used anti-virus software (for years mind you) actually do have viruses they're irrelevant.

 

[Doom_Bringer]

nice program, found 4 programs Spyware, Ad-Aware and Spy hunter couldn't detect!

 

[SpoonyBard]

Too bad MS bought GIANT, theirs was maybe the best anti-spyware software there was. AdAware and especially Spybot S&D are much worse.

 

[border]

if you have viruses, and don't know you have viruses, is there really a problem such that they need to be checked for and removed?

Fuck yes there's a problem. Some viruses do not try to disrupt your system.....they just sit their quietly trying to steal passwords, credit card numbers, and financial information. Or perhaps turn it into a proxy for someone to launch big hacking attacks.

Thanks to others for pointing out the absurdity of "I've never had any viruses" + "I don't use a virus scanner".

 

[Kon Tiki]

HA!
It said it found spyware, my MSN adblocker. :lol

Is Giant's software still available? I do not want one laced with MS' politics.

 

[SpoonyBard]

HA!
It said it found spyware, my MSN adblocker. :lol

Is Giant's software still available? I do not want one laced with MS' politics.

ftp://ftp.zcu.cz/pub/win/winsite/winxp/sysutil/GIANTAntiSpyware.exe

I don't know if this is the newest version

 

[Kon Tiki]

Thanks.

 

[AssMan]

I'm downloading GIANTantispyware. Is it free? I need a new and good, free, spwyare program, because I downloaded adaware SE and EVERYTIME I scan PC it would screw up and exit. Also it was weird...........I scan my PC and it would find like, A LOT of files detected, and I tried to see if it would find anything again and I would find A LOT of files infected still. I need help

 

[SpoonyBard]

I'm downloading GIANTantispyware. Is it free? I need a new and good, free, spwyare program, because I downloaded adaware SE and EVERYTIME I scan PC it would screw up and exit. Also it was weird...........I scan my PC and it would find like, A LOT of files detected, and I tried to see if it would find anything again and I would find A LOT of files infected still. I need help

I think it's shareware, but discontinued now so you can't register it legally.


Here's an interesting anti-spyware test report, even Giant Antispyware detected only 100 of the 134 critical spyware files and registry entries. Others did worse:

http://spywarewarrior.com/asw-test-guide.htm

 

[AssMan]

I installed it. Seems to work...........I guess. What about FireFox? I'm on 56k and is it alright to use and has any kind of special spyware/adware program in the program itself?

 

[SpoonyBard]

Opera is probably the safest one (after Lynx and Links etc. of course), but Firefox is way better than IE.

 

[LakeEarth]

DAMMIT! This program must've deleted something that was actually useful, cause now everytime I turn on my computer I get an error message. Anyone know what this means:

Error loading c:\progra~1\newdot~1\newdot~2.dll means? BTW there is no directory that is called newdot in program files.

EDIT - looking it up, this problem has happened before. I'll try to figure it out, but any help would be appriciated

 

[maharg]

Garbage In Garbage Out. If your computer won't start because some program you've never heard of is no longer present, your computer was seriously screwed up to begin with.

 

[LakeEarth]

Garbage In Garbage Out. If your computer won't start because some program you've never heard of is no longer present, your computer was seriously screwed up to begin with.

You sir have insulted my computer's honor! I keep my baby clean, but even with 3 spyware checkers, 2 virus scanners, a firewall and using Firefox and Mozilla exclusively, shit still gets through. It's just how it goes.

Besides, this is a common error that happens when a piece of spyware known as New.net got in there, and the error happens when it is uninstalled (or in this case, removed by the Windows Spyware remover). Problem right now is that the site I'm reading is saying to remove a file in a "Downloaded Program Files" section, but it's not there... but I'll figure it out.

 

[The Faceless Master]

wow, k-lite and emule registry entries are mild threats... and the gamespot download manager is harmful spyware!

 

[Vgamer]

Wow pretty handy program. Just downloaded it and ran it after I ran adaware and it found 20 new things that adaware didnt. Plus I really like the fact that its always protecting you unlike adaware. In fact a box popped up and told me some lame site was doing something or other before I scanned my HD.

Im confused about one thing though what does the "Spynet Antispyware Community" do? I cant see the advantages of leaving it on so for now I have it off.

 

[The Faceless Master]

Wow pretty handy program. Just downloaded it and ran it after I ran adaware and it found 20 new things that adaware didnt. Plus I really like the fact that its always protecting you unlike adaware. In fact a box popped up and told me some lame site was doing something or other before I scanned my HD.

Im confused about one thing though what does the "Spynet Antispyware Community" do? I cant see the advantages of leaving it on so for now I have it off.

that's what adwatch is for in the pay version of adaware

 

[Macam]

Im confused about one thing though what does the "Spynet Antispyware Community" do? I cant see the advantages of leaving it on so for now I have it off.

To my understanding, it basically utilizes other users' feedback from the program about possible new spyware programs to keep itself more frequently update and on top of new threats. Go to Tools>Suspected Spyware Report to file a report to the network if you suspect you found spyware that it didn't catch.

Also, for those of you who like the realtime protection, here's a fantastic anti-virus program from Eset, called NOD32. Reportedly, this is what MS uses internally and it has a 100% rating of not missing a single in the wild virus or worm with no false positives for the 29th time in a row. There's a free 30 day trial of it, and it's worked wonders so far. http://www.nod32.com/home/home.htm.

 

[Vgamer]

that's what adwatch is for in the pay version of adaware

Ya but this is free and im cheap I also found this Microsoft antispyware program has a very nice Computer Privacy Track Eraser built into it that can erase your internet history, cookies, computer history and Many other history tracks at the press of a button. Also it has a cool section that shows you whats running on your computer and whether it considers it to be a normal thing that should be running or something you should check out. Anyways its a very nice program especially for the price of Free Lets hope it stays that way!

 

[Fatalah]

Ya know, I thought MSFT used EZ-antivirus. Maybe because MSFT packaged EZ antivirus with some of its disks a while back?

 

[Macam]

Slashdot had an interesting linked article comparing Windows' AntiSpyware Beta versus Spyboy S&D and AdAware. You can find that here: http://www.flexbeta.net/main/articles.php?action=show&id=84.

End result? Run all 3, but Microsoft's new tool is the best of three.

Fatalah, MS uses NOD32 as the latter states in the PR release: "SAN DIEGO, CALIF.—August 26, 2004—Eset, a global provider of next generation virus protection, today announced that Microsoft renewed its corporate license to use NOD32 anti-virus software in its release labs. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Microsoft’s release labs have been using NOD32 to scan for viruses and worms. "