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MS Anti-Spyware Released
Beta unveiled after Giant acquisition
by Karl Bode Thursday 06-Jan-2005 tags: security · software · spyware
Somewhat hidden under the news that Bill Gates called IP reformers "communists" at CES, is the news that his company has released the beta for their new Anti-Spyware software, available here. Users in our Security Vendor forum give their thoughts on the software, and how it differs from what Giant offered (Giant was recently acquired by Microsoft). Of note: the software will not work with 9X/ME.

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raythompsontn

join:2001-01-11
Oliver Springs, TN

Nice Product

So far the product seems to work well and caught some stuff that Ad-Aware did not catch.

Jameson
Premium
join:2004-05-28
Fallbrook, CA
kudos:1

Re: Nice Product

im going to try it when i get home!!!

fiddelm3742
I Hope You Learned Your Lesson

join:2003-02-19
Waterloo, IA
Thus far I am not impressed.
Only Item it detected was RealVNC which is used in a corporate environment. It does give useful suggestions as to the real uses of the software, but is it considered spyware? Definitely not! If it thinks so, then the program seems to be acting more like an Anti Trojan piece of software than an anti spyware piece of software.
Also, it did not detect any bad cookies. However Spybot S&D had no problem coming up with at least 10 relevant results.
--
MFI bring the color
electric_dsl

join:2004-07-20
Pickering, ON

Re: Nice Product

IT is not labelling it as spyware.

It is saying that piece of software acts and does things that spyware may do.

Besides it recommends that you keep it.
campbelc

join:2002-02-19
Battle Creek, MI
Actually VNC violates your EULA with Microsoft. But we too use RealVNC. Love the Antispyware beta though.

click_310
Eat my shorts

join:2002-12-06
Savannah, GA

Re: Nice Product

said by campbelc:

Actually VNC violates your EULA with Microsoft.
How?
NOTE: I have never in my life read the MS EULA. Don't feel like wasting a perfectly good Friday afternoon doing it either.
JofCore

join:2004-09-15
Sebewaing, MI

Re: Nice Product

He's probably talking about this part... (this has been there since Windows 2000, BTW)

Except as otherwise permitted by the
NetMeeting, Remote Assistance, and Remote Desktop
features described below, you may not use the Product
to permit any Device to use, access, display or run other
executable software residing on the Workstation Computer,
nor may you permit any Device to use, access, display,
or run the Product or Product's user interface, unless
the Device has a separate license for the Product.

So, technically, to VNC to your windows box from your linux box, you would need a windows license for your linux box.

I remember someone once mused on what this phone call might go like:

MS: Hello, Microsoft Licensing, may I help you?
U: Yes, I need to purchase a windows license for my linux box.
MS: ok, what version of windows do you currently have?
U: I don't have windows. I need a license for my linux box so I can remotely connect to a windows machine at work.
MS: So what version of windows do you have?
U: I DON'T HAVE WINDOWS. I HAVE LINUX.
MS: Oh, well we don't support linux. Thank you for calling Microsoft!

anon7007

@rr.com
The king of spyware making an anti-spyware product. Yeah I trust that. Not.
Samwoo

join:2002-02-15
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Re: Nice Product

Microsoft isn't the king of spyware...
They are the king of selling really expensive products.

Persona
Premium
join:2004-07-07
Gravenhurst, ON
I like it - found some legitimate stuff ad-aware and spybot over looked
Uses a little too much RAM as it idles in the systray though - I believe.

Geminimind
Premium
join:2003-12-20
Sacramento, CA

Re: Nice Product

Yeah it works real good,got rid of stuff that adaware and other spyware programs did not

Tech-2005

@dsl.irvnca.pacbell.n
Here is the list of antispyware that I ran before installing Microsoft antispyware:

SpySweeper 3.5 (latest version)
SpywareBlaster
Ad-Aware SE personal
Spybot S&D
McAfee antispyware

I also have Norton AV 2003 with all current updates & the latest Zone Alarm Pro 5.5 with privacy settings set to block mobile code, cookies, etc.

I ran a scan with Microsoft antispyware (Giant AS) and it came up with three severe security threats. One adware and two spyware. One I think was found possibly in the McAfee AS quarantine directory, one was associated with the browser. The other one was just sitting in the Windows system directory.

I run scans every day with all the other AS programs mentioned and yet this MS antispyware program picked up THREE severe threats. All that "other" spyware protection with TWO of them blocking on the fly in real time and I still had three severe threats found by the Microsoft antispyware.

My suggestion is that everyone who has any sanity regarding security to download this completely free Microsoft ( Giant formerly) product ASAP and run a scan !

PunkGod

join:2003-02-02
I like it. It found two items adaware SE Pro, spybot and spyware doctor didn't. It found Grokster and WebHancer, two items I never knew were on my computer and this is after a reformat not to long ago. I had a feeling something wasn't right with my computer cause web pages were acting weird and slower than normal. I'm using opera browser if anyone is wondering.

Tech-2005

@dsl.irvnca.pacbell.n

Re: Nice Product

PunkGod...You are correct about that...

On my system it found WebHancer, KCGame (RAT), and SearchSquire.

Even with the new MS Antispyware running now in the background along with my other AS programs...because of these spyware programs removed...my browsing speed has increased quite a bit. This Giant AS program that Microsoft bought is tops in the antispyware game. I really like it.

Soujiro seta
The Grey Warden

join:2003-05-29
Boston, MA
Does it really work? i mean more effective than mcaffee?
B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28

.

He said WHAT?

-- B

hpguru
Curb Your Dogma
Premium
join:2002-04-12

Re: .

said by B:

He said WHAT?

-- B
At least he didn't call them terrorists.
--
Boundlessly expands the sky and nothing stops the white clouds from freely flying about.
B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28

Re: .


I do admit the whole copyleft thing is pretty transparent, but I think reasonable people can draw distinctions between Marxism, real mundane economics, and "F"ree software.

In other words, communism is silly, but Free/open source works great. Precisely because software exists in a virtual world in which the cost of replication and distribution is negligible.

I know I'll regret this.

-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function
Beeper
Part Of The Problem

join:2001-09-27
Dayton, OH

Re: .

said by B:

I know I'll regret this.
Why?

You made sense.
--
Guaranteed Fear and Loathing. Abandon all hope. Prepare for the Weirdness. Get familiar with Cannibalism.
raythompsontn

join:2001-01-11
Oliver Springs, TN
Reviews:
·Comcast
said by B:

He said WHAT?

-- B
Microsoft is a position of "damned if they do, damned if they don't". I would prefer the Microsoft release such products as Microsoft knows the inner workings of their OS better than anyone else.

I also like the ability of the Microsoft product to restore any browser that has been hijacked.

Downside is that the beta expires in 206 days and then I will have to get something. But if this beta is any indication then Microsoft may be the way to go for me.
Beeper
Part Of The Problem

join:2001-09-27
Dayton, OH

Re: .

said by raythompsontn:

I also like the ability of the Microsoft product to restore any browser that has been hijacked.
That should be changed to read "most" browsers. There are plenty of people who use Windows ME on down on the Internet that suffer from spyware.

This beta says "Let them eat cake" to me.
--
Guaranteed Fear and Loathing. Abandon all hope. Prepare for the Weirdness. Get familiar with Cannibalism.

FDisk
O.O?

join:2003-08-18
Israel

Didn't know they where making one.

Should I dare? Hmm, maybe I should.

slick2684
We Can't Stop Here. This Is Bat Country.
Premium
join:2003-11-15
Santa Barbara, CA

Re: Didn't know they where making one.

HAHA!

Downloaded, tried. THE FIRST PIECE OF SPYWARE IT DETECTED WAS WINDOWS MESSAGING SERVICE!

LMFAO! :D:D:D
--
I can still rock like a son of a bitch.
Samwoo

join:2002-02-15
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Re: Didn't know they where making one.

SP2 was supposed to turn of the messaging service (i believe)... maybe you should get sp2

slick2684
We Can't Stop Here. This Is Bat Country.
Premium
join:2003-11-15
Santa Barbara, CA

Re: Didn't know they where making one.

That would be on XP. I'm at work on Windows 2000.
--
I can still rock like a son of a bitch.
electric_dsl

join:2004-07-20
Pickering, ON

Re: Didn't know they where making one.

there you go slick.

windows messaging service can be used to spam the shit out off you.

SOOOOOO at home they turn this off. However at work it should be no problem.

So whats your point? Its doing what it is supposed to do

GlenQuagmire
Giggidy Giggidy Giggidy Goo
Premium
join:2004-02-16
Grand Rapids, MI

Who Cares

Microsoft releasing Anti-Spyware is like the mod asking for protection payments. If IE did not have the security problems that is does spyware would not be as bad is it is.

Jeremy341
Bye
Premium
join:2000-01-06
localhost

Re: Who Cares

said by GlenQuagmire:

If IE did not have the security problems that is does spyware would not be as bad is it is.
IE is not the only way spyware gets into a system.
vinnie97
Premium
join:2003-12-05
US
kudos:1

1 edit

Re: Who Cares

It's the primary way.
electric_dsl

join:2004-07-20
Pickering, ON

Re: Who Cares

No SOftware that Bundles Spyware is the Primary way.

See. Kazaa, Smiley downloads, this new exeem, AOL, weather bug etc. etc.

Thaler
Premium
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA
kudos:3
Reviews:
·DSL EXTREME

Re: Who Cares

Not in our family, and around a lot of places.

Most people have seen or heard their share of ad/spyware, and at least know that most free software comes at a price. The other part of the puzzle is the exploit/hijacking of a web brouser's bugs to get into the juicy part of the OS inside.

Ad/spyware riddled programs are at least advoidable. Browsing around (or having a family member/friend do it)...then suddenly puzzled w/ a diluge of pop-ups and home page rerouts is just damn annoying, and can happen to the best of us.

Lostintech
Phillydude
Premium
join:2004-11-21
Philadelphia, PA
This Guy is like an internet explorer FREAK

Jeremy341
Bye
Premium
join:2000-01-06
localhost

Re: Who Cares

said by Lostintech:

This Guy is like an internet explorer FREAK
Damn straight.

Lostintech
Phillydude
Premium
join:2004-11-21
Philadelphia, PA

Re: Who Cares

I hate internet explorer and like why do you love internet explorer so much i mean like It'sslow And TOO BUGGY and worst of all it's by MICROSOFT they are like way to buggy the oly thing that i like from microsoft is WINDOW'S i use friefox and thuderBIRD and umm

Jeremy341
Bye
Premium
join:2000-01-06
localhost

Re: Who Cares

IE is too buggy, so you use Firefox?

ROFL, thanks for the excellent comedy.

Lostintech
Phillydude
Premium
join:2004-11-21
Philadelphia, PA
Yes stupid I.E. user

Lostintech
Phillydude
Premium
join:2004-11-21
Philadelphia, PA
hey check out my Mob Log at »www.iestinks.textamerica.com

Kompressor
Premium
join:2002-02-12
Huntington Beach, CA
IE is the most secure browser there is. The problem is, it's the most attacked.

Thaler
Premium
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA
kudos:3
Reviews:
·DSL EXTREME

Re: Who Cares

Backed up by the huge quantities of data, review, and code analysis! ...or, er...sorry, that's just your opinion. NM.

IE is the most popular browser there is, that is a proven fact. Being so, it is also the most attacked. Secure though...that really has yet to be proven. This is akin to the OS debates as to what is more secure or not as well. Alternatives (ie. Firefox, Macintosh, Opera, Unix, etc.) are out there, and also have their bugs too. However, most zombie breeders, adware income generators, etc. want the most bang for their buck, and target the widest audience for the best results.

I'd have to say that IE is no more secure than the alternatives out there, but you have temporary security now in using something not on the bandwagon. For browsing sites that are...erm, questionable at best, I have a specific "Security" account, in which I am a Limited User, and browse using Firefox. Now, if they can jump both of those hurdles and install still into my OS, that's damn impressive.

GlenQuagmire
Giggidy Giggidy Giggidy Goo
Premium
join:2004-02-16
Grand Rapids, MI

Re: Who Cares

What about ActiveX

FROSTY
Premium,MVM
join:2000-08-10
Leeds, AL
Reviews:
·Windstream

If anyone noticed

Prior to downloading, the site claims to require validating Windows as a legit install. This can be bypassed by clicking 'Not at this time' when prompted, it will return to the download screen, click download again, and the download will start.

I haven't tried their AntiSpyware beta, nor will I try the official, unless I'm bored. SpySweeper still rules in my book.
--
"When you set yourself on fire and aim for the sky, you hope to leave behind some sparks of heat and light ... Like a vapor trail." - Neil Peart 2002
ParanoiaInc

join:2002-08-28
Tucker, GA

Re: If anyone noticed

That's really amusing. Who, not owning a legit copy of XP, is going to go out and spend $100-200 for a legit copy of XP in order to download a Spyware beta application?

Maybe they'll just offer those silly enough to try to validate a non-legit XP install an XPlite they are selling overseas for $99.

AthlGrond
Premium,MVM
join:2002-04-25
Aurora, CO

Re: If anyone noticed

I think Gates got it wrong, free culture advocates aren't communists they are just cheapskates!
--
"I drank what?" -Socrates

Smitedogg
Uzbekikitty
Premium
join:2000-11-11
Pueblo, CO

Re: If anyone noticed

said by AthlGrond:

I think Gates got it wrong, free culture advocates aren't communists they are just cheapskates!
We have our reasons:p

Dogg

AthlGrond
Premium,MVM
join:2002-04-25
Aurora, CO

Re: If anyone noticed

Because GNU is free you are a cheapskate? Seems like you would have more money to spend as a result.
--
"I drank what?" -Socrates
ceocio

join:2004-04-16
Columbus, OH

So, how does it compare to spybot S &D?

So, how does it compare to spybot S &D?.
Guess I don't really need both to eat up my resource..
Looking for opinions from ppl who have actually tested both.. I know many think MS sucks in general, but let's hear some objective opinions regarding this particular product. thanks.

thewolfman

join:2003-04-03
Niagara Falls, NY

Re: So, how does it compare to spybot S &D?

I really doubt anyone that hates MS will give this product a serious look. I downloaded it, ran it, and it found two items that spysweeper didn't. I ran spysweeper just prior to running the MS product. Take that for what it is worth. I will use it at this point. Even though it is a beta, it seems to run very smoothly and quickly. Hope this helps you decide!!
B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28

I think the Giant version did very very (surprisingly) well in Eric Howes' and others' tests. Although it throws a lot of false positives. You can search the security forum here for "Giant AntiSpyware".

Many people who tried it have stopped using it.

-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function
B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28

Re: So, how does it compare to spybot S &D?

It seems they will charge for updates.

»it.slashdot.org/it/05/01/06/1521···&tid=109

-- B
--
In a realm outside causality and function
ceocio

join:2004-04-16
Columbus, OH
ok, i installed it. It found 4 threats. fixed 3 and messed up 1. It f*ked up my flashget install. well, given it's beta, it's stil acceptable.. Hope they'll fix it in official..

SirXILE
The SolWar 2-1
Premium
join:2001-02-24
Brooklyn, NY

Works good

It does work good. Loads quick & catches some stuff Ad-Aware doesn't.
--
There can only be one..."X.I.L.E"
vndiktv

join:2001-05-21
Greenville, NC

Re: Works good

Agreed. Loads fast, nice GUI and found a couple of instances that Adaware nor SpyBot found. I will keep it in my arsenal against Spyware.

inciter
Noobie
Premium
join:2000-08-30
Rohnert Park, CA

Gotta admit one thing for sure

They are trying....

And the logo is cool the simplest things seem to work best.


--
A SUCKER is born every min. On the Internet a SUCKER is born every Sec.
lfb001

join:2002-02-02
Framingham, MA

Giant Antispyware

You have to uninstall Giant Antispyware to install MS Antispyware

C_
Kill The Socialists
Premium
join:2001-03-19
kudos:3

Re: Giant Antispyware

said by lfb001:

You have to uninstall Giant Antispyware to install MS Antispyware
considering they're pretty much the same product with a few minor changes
--
"and no matter how drunk you get .. don't lick the wall socket to test polarity..."

ogar

join:2001-12-05
Ephrata, PA

Nice Product with One Flaw

It does not seem to scan 3rd party browsers. I did not catch any trackers or cookies that spybot caught in my Firefox browser. These where not questionable cokkies there cookies had, XXX, Tracker, Ad aware in the files name. Other then this flaw seems to work pretty good.
electric_dsl

join:2004-07-20
Pickering, ON

Re: Nice Product with One Flaw

looking at pron eh?

ogar

join:2001-12-05
Ephrata, PA

Re: Nice Product with One Flaw

Actually no I haven't proabbly got it from going to cracks.am

mcfrisch
Revelare Pecunia

join:2000-07-02
Lakewood, OH

1 edit
Neither does Spybot S&D, AFAIK.

ssj4android
Redefining Reality

join:2002-04-14
Wyoming, MI

Re: Nice Product with One Flaw

Actually, Spybot does.

Blocker3

@rr.com

MS Anti-Spyware

The BETA Version is free for the testing. After the 90 Day Trial, Microsoft will Charge a $99.00 Licensing fee, per year.
Updates will be available for a subscription fee of $45.00 per year, and will include any new variants of spyware.
This will only work on legitimate versions of the "Licensed" OS Software.

See 21 replies to this post
laz45

join:2002-08-01
Orlando, FL

Crack

Somebody will crack it to get free updates

DOStradamus
MVM
join:2003-11-04
Forestville, CA

Re: Crack

Somebody on crack will want updates.

Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus

join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY

A howler!

I was reading Bill Gates was presenting some sort of game in front of God, Country, and a room full of Techno-geeks.
at Lost Wages yesterday and instead of the game he got the Blue Screen of Death. I wonder who is going to get sent to the Falkland Islands MS Office because of this.
--
Real Men use Vacuum tubes, 25 pound filament transformers, and plate voltages no less then 2400 volts...BPL I'm coming to get you

See 7 replies to this post

Beggar Su
Drunken Master
Premium
join:2004-08-15
UK

F/P

Well it scanned and picked up McAfee AntiSpyware as a severe threat and should be removed immediately - lol and other false positives. I'm just going to stick with adaware and spybot and other tools.
--
"The sky is my roof and I'll sleep where I may..." - Kung Fu Master Beggar Su

Jeffrey
Wilpon please sell the Mets
Premium
join:2002-12-24
Long Island
kudos:3

Re: F/P

Well, I tend to agree with the MS scanner on that issue. Anything McAfee is a severe threat.

F14b0mbk4t
Walmart Is 73h L337 Yo'
Premium
join:2004-11-11
Above

Beta? No thanks

I'll wait for the Alpha version.
BosstonesOwn

join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA

Re: Beta? No thanks

beta comes after alpha in the software process.

F14b0mbk4t
Walmart Is 73h L337 Yo'
Premium
join:2004-11-11
Above
Oops, please excuse my misword. What I meant is that since it's beta it's still in the early stages. There might be a few bugs, perhaps big enough to ruin some software or programs running on your computer. I'll wait for more reviews before giving it a try.
--
If you can read my sig, then you are too close.

M A R S
Premium
join:2001-06-15
Long Island

WOW

This found a lot of stuff Ad-Aware did not find, I'm actual impressed..
--
My WEBSITE
PHxAZ1981

join:2004-04-19
Tempe, AZ

i like this product

it found several instances of adware/spyware, a couple of which were high threat levels. It caught things that both Adaware and spybot missed.

DOStradamus
MVM
join:2003-11-04
Forestville, CA

It claims to smell a "RAT" or two. I differ..PUGH!

After installation, it let it "play"...

Like the cliche'd dimditted lab assistant, it lumbered off in search of vermin, not to my system partition (on P: ).. Thumbing through a Win98 setup I use occasionally BLAM! It said it found a "Remote Administration Tool" - C:\Windows\SYSTEM\sccrun.dll.. Odd.. it had same date as other DLL's from the Win98 release.. For "fun", I EXTRACTed a "fresh" sccrun.dll from my Win98 SE CD.. same file. Byte per byte.

It then let it loose on my system drive.. Likewise, another false positive in the Win2K Server Support tools...

It claims to have sniffed out 2 "RATs", I say "hoof hearted"! Giant flatulence.

drkkgt
Boo
Premium
join:2003-08-26
Whittier, CA

Nice screens

Seems pretty cool, although seems odd that they take all the time to change the logo, the name, and the menus, then still name the service GiantAntiSpywareMain.
yabos

join:2003-02-16
London, ON

Re: Nice screens

Yeah, I was just going to post that haha.

OreoleO
Wanna Settle This Outside??

join:2004-05-22
Feasterville Trevose, PA

...

Anybody that's flaming this software, is stupid, it's called "beta" software, jeez.

Derch
Premium
join:2004-10-16
Cross Plains, WI

Re: ...

But the release is Tuesday, flame on...

DOStradamus
MVM
join:2003-11-04
Forestville, CA
A false positive on a garden variety document would be one thing, the same on a piece of, say Firefox, would be something of more noteworthyness. Finding spyware amongst the (virgin) ".DLLs" released with Ms Woid is unbelievable enough...

TWO false positives found among their released OS (Win98 SE and Win2K Server)!!! -- Get a reality!

Don't they test their stuff with their OWN SOFTWARE??

"Earth to Redmond... Earth to Redmond..."

slimpickinz

join:2003-11-29
Conyers, GA

WTF...

What is Spyware anyway?
fbelcher

join:2000-06-21
East Peoria, IL

Re: ...

I had a folder in my favorites called cracks and microsoft found it as a crackspider and deleted it,try it you will be amazed.

dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
kudos:18

Re: ...

Didn't delete mine!

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