Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta):

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta): Overview:

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware, including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves Internet browsing safety by guarding more than 50 ways spyware can enter your PC. The worldwide SpyNet™ community plays a key role in determining which suspicious programs are classified as spyware. Microsoft researchers quickly develop methods to counteract these threats, and updates are automatically downloaded to your PC so you stay up to date.

Setup was really easy. A few checkboxes here a few there. Before you know it the program is all set up and ready to go. It stays in your taskbar and monitors all of the new software installations to detect Spyware before it has a chance to propagate. One thing that made me scratch my head was SpyNet™...

SpyNet™ is a network community that connects Microsoft AntiSpyware users together to identify and share information about unknown spyware applications and signatures. This community automatically reports potential threats identified by the AntiSpyware real-time system agents to the SpyNet servers that catalog and update the system to help protect you from new spyware threats.

System Requirements:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
• A 300 MHz or faster processor with at least 64 MB of RAM
• Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server™ 2003
• At least 10 MB of available free space on your hard disk
• Internet access with at least a 28.8 Kbps connection to use SpyNet™

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I wish this program could be used on computers running older versions of Windows. It's a really good Anti-Spyware program. The best I've ever seen and it's free. This program even blows away my previous favorite, AdAware Pro.

Microsoft is serious about security. Later this year they're planning on releasing their own Anti-Virus program. Their Anti-Virus endeavor is slated to produce a "low cost" subscription based service.

At the end of the day, after all the complaining that I do about Internet Explorer, I like Microsoft. They made computers what they are today. Sure Apple and IBM helped (my first computer was an Apple IIc) but Microsoft deserves most of the credit. Before Microsoft made Windows, computers were more of a "Novelty" than something you wake up and plug away at all day. In it's own time, even Internet Explorer was a great innovation.

This post isn't just about security. It's about innovation and moving forward. Microsoft's step into the Anti-Spyware arena is an acknowledgement that they're working to make things better. Future versions of their operating systems will surely have this new technology integrated and in the long run that's a good thing. It'll add value to their products of course, but there is something more important. The "less computer savy" users will be protected.

You can learn more about the new "Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Beta" by following this link:

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Beta @ Microsoft.com

If you're ready to try it out (and have a valid copy of Windows XP) you can go directly to their Download page:

Download "Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware Beta" @ Microsoft.com