I just downloaded the beta & like it alot!

Anyway just thought I'd let you guys know. I like it!

Here is the download:

Microsoft® Windows AntiSpyware (Beta)

Jephree, What do you think of the program? I have downloaded it and it tagged my remote control software I use to manage my networked PCs as spyware. I know its Giant's software re-packaged but I have a small problem with the amount of acknowledge services running (55?!?!?) just to prevent spyware/adware/malware? I trust all of you at D.A.L. since you have help me greatly over the last couple of months. I am, however, alittle on the leary side with this only because I have a feeling that after its initial splashy debut that MS will start charging for the definitions like McAfee and Symantec do. Thanks for your opinions and information.

Not sure what Microsoft's plans are involving the "pay for update subscriptions" lark most software providers now do.

Yes, this is certainly Giant under a different skin, but I wouldn't trust the results yet as its still in Beta Testing, although I suppose it is using the same Giant definitions.

I do not know about how close this is to the original Giant software. I do know that its very annoying to have an obvious hijack attempt take place and then MS Spyware ask you if you want to remove it. At least Spybot would try to stop it before it took hold.

Granted, it has removed every defined Spyware/Malware/Adware it has detected but its also a resource drain. The PC that we are testing with has slowed down noticibly. I have not run any benchmarks on it but what it is affecting is a proprietary SQL application (strangely it too is a MS product)

So, my evalutation of it is not turning out to be as nice a deal as I had hoped.

I used it to clear out a pretty tenacious spyware infection, and it worked great.

Words of wisdom - "know thy computer", it tagged some remote admin software that I run, but if you know what you have installed, that shouldn't be a problem, and if you didn't know that something you use is a potential threat, maybe you should look into it. As far as a it being a resource drain, if you keep your definitions up to date & run it once a week or so, it shouldn't be a big deal to turn it off most of the time. Sure it took an hour to scan, but you've got to eat sometime...

Anyway, thanks jepphree, you saved my sanity today (what's left anyway)

jjambro

Just ran Ad-Aware after a few days of relying on MS Spyware. Tracking Cookies are the only think Ad-Aware found. I did read an Article in the US Wall Street Journal about how its buggy software and will itself hijack your IE Home page and Search page. I havent experienced this myself, but I do not put it past MS.