Microsoft Anti Spyware
Microsoft Anti Spyware
Like just about everyone else, I’ve been hearing all sorts of news about the newest offering from Microsoft:
Microsoft’s Anti-Spyware Program
So I decided to do a little research and figure out what it’s all about and of course, if it lives up to the hype.
At the moment it is available as a BETA version, click here to download the free demo is you like. The user interface is great as with just about all Microsoft applications… so if nothing else, it will provide you with a nice screen to look at. 
Some features of the new Microsoft Anti-Spyware spyware include Real Time Protection and SpyNet, amongst others. As with most spyware removal utilities the Microsoft software will be able to detect and remove several already well known spyware applications, provide you with full details about each and every infection (or potential infection) and allow you to quarantine these applications.
The Real Time Protection feature is one that I like. Basically it will monitor several (about 50 at the moment) checkpoints (ie. potential security holes) in Windows for any suspicious activity. This feature allows you to recognize and stop any software from altering Windows settings or install processes. This means that you can potentially uncover and stop new spyware programs before they have a chance to infect your computer, good stuff.
SpyNet is a “voluntary worldwide community”, in other words, a bunch of MS Anti-Spyware users that decide to share info on possible spyware applications. This is also a pretty good feature as it increases the ability of MS Anti-Spyware to recognize real spyware and update their definitions…
The Price…
The DEMO is available for FREE until Dec 31 2005.
The full registered version, while I don’t know the official price, is rumored to cost about $80 per year… yes, it will be a subscription service.