November 7, 2005 1:21 PM PST
Windows AntiSpyware becomes 'Defender'
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The tool, designed to protect PCs against hidden software, has been renamed "Windows Defender" and is getting a new look as well as capabilities to detect rootkits, keystroke loggers and other threats. The news of the revamp came Friday in a posting to a new Microsoft corporate blog dealing with malicious software.
The updated application will be part of Vista, the successor to the Windows XP operating system that is expected to launch by the end of next year.
Why they say spyware is good for you
Microsoft will also release Windows Defender for XP users. It will be released as an update to the current edition of Windows AntiSpyware, which has been available in a beta version since January.
The changes were expected. In October, Microsoft said that the tool would undergo significant changes before Windows Vista ships. The expanded detection and removal capabilities were also in the cards.
The program is designed to protect PCs against spyware, which is software that is installed on a system to watch the user's activity without his or her knowledge. The addition of rootkit protection means Windows Defender can detect and remove rootkits, hacker tools designed to go undetected by security software. Rootkits are used by hackers to lock down control of a computer after an initial attack.
Microsoft has changed how it delivers signature updates for the anti-spyware application. The signatures, used to pinpoint which software is malicious, are now distributed through Windows Update, instead through of a separate tool particular to the program.
Microsoft said Windows Defender isn't a finished product. Vista testers are likely to be the first to get their hands on the updated tool, a company spokesperson said Monday. "We expect Windows Defender to appear in the next Windows Vista Community Technology Preview release," expected by year's end, the representative said.
It is unclear when Windows Defender will be available to Windows XP users. Microsoft had planned to deliver a Beta 2 version of Windows AntiSpyware by the end of the year. That release is expected to be the debut of Windows Defender for Windows XP, but the delivery date might change, the Microsoft spokesperson said.
"The timing for Beta 2 has not been determined. The internal goal for us is Dec. 31, but that is flexible," the representative said.
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illegally using to hijack unsuspecting users machines.
__________________________________
R.K.
http://www.Remove-All-Spyware.com/
I'm the Defender, a mutant bender.
I'm the Defender, a mind bender.
I'll defend this state to the end;
I'm the captain of this ship and its men.
good times, people, good times...
This is another MS program I won't be using.
spyware. Blah Blah Blah, Im buying a Mac. Friend has one and he
does whatever he wants without worry because they don't have this
crap to worry about. Apple here I come!
I think it's funny that Microsoft makes a security product anyway, but to call it Windows Defender. This say's to me they have no faith in the security of their OS. Windows needs defending? Of course I say this from a biased point of view, but I still thinks it's a funny name.
Of course I suppose that those of you who trust Windows will have no problem trusting Windows Defender or Microsoft antispyware application. Me personally... I think I'll stick with ZoneAlarm and AVG.
this was a GREAT product, and worked on win 98/me ALSO.
now that microsoft BOUGHT the program, they REMOVED the win 9x ability.
as to the comments "program X works better", you need to WAKE UP.
there is NO one program that gets all the bugs.
just last night i scanned with BOTH ad-aware AND spy-bot on a customer's computer. pulled almost 1,000 files/registry entries.
re-scanned with BOTH (after re-boot) and found NOTHING.
scanned with ms anti-spyware (cough GIANT cough) and found 27 actual BUGS (i don't remember the # of files/registry entries) that the other 2 missed.
and YES, i have done the REVERSE on other computers. use the MS app first, then either lavasoft and/or spybot. then THEY will catch files/registry entries that the MS prog didn't.
BOTTOM LINE: you need all 3 AND "hijack this" to have a CHANCE of getting rid of the crud.
and who is to say that ALL 3 are not missing some?? HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?!?!?!?!
"a" is not better than "b", just DIFFERENT.
get over your "loyalties". use what works.
_____________________________
Mohsin MoreLee
Webmaster AcmeAims
- EVERYTHING GETS A MAKE OVER
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by newerawisp
November 9, 2005 12:56 PM PST
- Everything in the world gets a makeover. For example ABS makes money airing a Makeover program called Extreme Make over (home addition). Although ABC cheats the IRS because it makes it appear that it is getting the home from the people living there in and makes it over to present a show, it says in the show that the people living in the home were desperate and living in desperate conditions. So Make over was necessary.
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Reply to this comment
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See all 27 Comments >>However does MS think that the make over will root out web spying. It is sorely mistaken. the only way to root the web spying out is to redevelop the web surfing as written in
http://www.newerawisp.blogspot.com/
Even the development of VISTA is unjustified. Every couple of years MS updates its OS to keep up with its competition. But it does not mean that it is keeping up with the Hackers or the web Spies or is preventing the copies of Key Strokes. Every time you try to log on to a site you get a warning that you may get traced. But you can get traced by making key strokes even without submitting anything.