Microsoft Anti-Spyware
I was on Microsoft’s site today writing a support request and saw a link for this Anti-Spyware of theirs. I haven’t even heard of it. I decided to go ahead and give it a shot, I mean, who else would know better to get rid of spyware infecting a system other than the system’s maker? I installed and ran it, and I have to tell ya, It looks pretty promising. It has easy navigation, and it looks pretty too. But what about the scanning?
I tried out a full system scan, and low and hehold it found three items. All three were located down to a WinVNC program that I use to connect to remote user PC’s and take control of their desktop, when they need a little PC help. It listed all of the application’s info, along with what it was used for, as well as gave it a “Moderate” rating, and told me that this program is also used for valid reasons, which is all true. Why did the scan only find this? Well, I also run AVG Antivirus, Spybot S&D, and Adaware regularly, so my system was already cleaned for the most part. It did find this program, however, and the other two never picked it up, so plus points for Microsoft :)
The program also has a SpyNet feature that allows you to connect your PC to the thousands of other potential users to create a network of Anti-Spy computers. Apparently, when one detects a new threat, the others will be notified and updated as necessary, which seems to be a pretty cool method, however I would have to wait to see this feature in action in order to give an official rating on it.
One feature I liked that the other spyware programs do not have, is the RealTime monitoring. This puts a big Plus sign in my book, something that makes this program stand out above all the others. There are three seperate “Security Agents” that are actively monitoring your system, “Internet”, “System”, and “Applicaiton” agents. The internet agents provide protection from applications modifying or monitoring your internet connection and settings. The system agents provide protection against threats makin unauthorized or hazardous changes to your system, such as altering your security permissions, or operating system settings. Finally, the Application agents provide protection from threats isntalling, deleting, or modifying Internet Explorer or downloading ActiveEx controls from the internet. I’m still not too sure if the last part would also pertain to other browsers as well, or if its just Internet Explorer. What does this all mean? It can catch the spyware before it installes, actively, instead of how we usually go about removing these pains, passively. Instead of running the other spyware programs to get rid of spyware that we have, this will actively block the baddies before they even have a chance to infect the system (in theory). Which is why we like this feature :)
The application is also packed with a few extra advanced features also. It has “Browser Restore” option that allows you to reset your Internet Explorer settings in case your browser gets “Hijacked”. Won’t do much good for me since I am Firefox-exclusive, but very handy for those who stil decide to stick with IE for some unknown reason. It also includes a System Explorer feature that allows you to see running tasks, downloaded ActiveEx objects, startup programs, as well as a few not seen in other programs, like the Windows Host File and the WinSock LLP’s, as well as Windows Shell Execute Hooks. The last of these features that is included is a Tracks Eraser, commonly found on other programs, which allows you to clear history and cookies in various Windows programs, as well as several history lists that are stored. I was unaware that Notepad.exe had a history of opened files before using this program.
To make a long story short, get this application if you can. It’s in Beta 1 release, but it seems to be working fine and smoothe so far. It has several features not seen in other Anti-SPyware programs, and the Real Time monitoring is a MUST-HAVE. Better yet? It is a FREE program! I did have to run a Microsoft Genuine Windows check in order to download it, so just be aware, for all of you non-genuine users out there hehe.
Get this program NOW… by clicking here.