MicrosoftAntiSpyware

cormie

Hi,
I'd like to get some views on this Anti Spyware program. I was told it was the best and I've been using it for a while with no problems instead of AdAware. I'm reinstalling my OS now so was wondering which I should go with. The only thing is the way it keeps popping up the warnings which is pretty annoying.

Any feedback appreciated:)

Voodoo2

Dont use it, I did a test in this, i left a machine unprotected for a a day or so, then installed a few Antispyware, fully updated all! then see who picked up the most, bottom of the list was Microsoft, it found about 50% of them, i had best success with Zonealarms builtin Antispyware, Lavasoft Adware se and they seemed to have similer results! i think the fact is still on beta it might improve on Final release!

Capt'n Midnight

It was written by Giant who were then bought out by microsoft who more or less changed the name.

Don't forget that most people run it in quick scan rather than full scan.

For companies and people using laptops belonging to companies the fact it doesn't cost anything (at the moment) makes it attractive. Zonealarm , Adware are only free for home use and spywareblaster has an interesting license, it only free for commercial use if the techie or user does a manual update while sat at the each pc one by one.

It's quite good for a feebie - but no one program will cover all, so you'll have to mix and match. The most important thing is a firewall. ( yes there are serveral security suites but then you have one point of failure )

Voodoo2

Yes i fogot that, it was written by giant, well what i use and my PC is running with no problems adware or virus etc i use Zonealarm for my firewall and antispyware and Norton Systemworks, i havent had any problem, but its what you are confortable with, they have to be uptodate in order to work!!!

cormie

Thanks, so just install Adaware SE instead of MS or both?

Mac daddy

I use a combination on my windows boxes - adaware se and spybot.

Didn't think much of the MS one.

cormie

ah yeah, spybot was the other one I couldn't remember the name of.

Is there not some open source blocker that combines the strengths of all three into one program?

Mac daddy

haven't seen any yet

Your better of with separate ones any, what one doesn't find the other will
And create a sheduled task for instance twice a week, wednesday and sunday one start at lets say 7pm and the other start at 7.30pm.

cormie

Ok thanks again:)

I think I'll just go with spybot and Adaware then, that's what I used before I was using MS. Actually I mightn't even bother with Spybot. Is there even any need for me to worry? I rarely download anything. Once I have the initial install process out of the way when reinstalling an OS, that's really it. Does the average user (browser) of the internet need all this protection? I know what to avoid, I just don't go downloading new programs every week.

Mac daddy

as long as your carefull and don't click any of those dodgy popups you should be fine.

But i rather be safe then sorry and use it anyway just in case :cool:

cormie

But what if I'm the millionth visitor to a site and win a prize??? hehe

Thanks again, installed AdAware SE 1.6 now anyways. Should do the job.

KeRbDoG

The MicrosoftAntiSpyware wasnt written by M$, it was made by another company and they bought them over.
Its decient enough software, not so much as a remover but a program that can catch something trying to install itself. Will warn you if something is trying to add itself to the start batch of programs and usually asks you if yea want it to be added. Also protects the start page of IE (if yea use it).
For a small free program MS give out, its ok.
I really dislike other removal tools btw, this one just warns me and I remove the spyware on the effected box. easy

copacetic

i find the MS one works grand, run that automatically every night and run spybot and adaware once a week, spybot and adaware both find stuff that the other one doesn't but they always end up being debatable cookies etc rather than real spyware..

having trouble with my firewall though, was using zonealarms free one which works great but gradually stopped working so well, sometimes have to shut it down to get on the web at all even when it is unlocked etc...

anyone got a better one?