14 DAY TRIAL // The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal tool for Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 has been updated and made available for download on July 10, 2007. Microsoft emphasized the fact that the tool is by no means a replacement for a full time security solution. In this context, on the company's recently launched Malware Protection Center, the Malicious Software Removal Tool is placed under additional resources, and clearly separated from Windows Defender, the Forefront line and Windows Live OneCare.
"The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers for and helps remove infections by specific, prevalent malicious software?including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. The tool creates a log file named mrt.log in the %WINDIR?bug folder," Microsoft informed.
The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal tool is designed to run in the background. It will scan the machine and will only produce a result if signs of infection will be found. Additionally, the tool will also contact Microsoft with information about eventual system compromise or errors. In this context, the utility can be added to the 20+ list of features and services in Windows Vista that harvest user data for Microsoft.
"To have the newest versions automatically delivered and installed as soon as they are released, set the Automatic Updates feature to Automatic. The version of this tool delivered by Windows Update runs on your computer once a month, in the background. If an infection is found, the tool will display a status report the next time you start your computer. Please be aware that this tool reports anonymous information back to Microsoft in the event that an infection is found or an error is encountered," Microsoft stated.
The Redmond company has posted a Knowledge Base article will all the malware samples that the tool is designed to detect, as well as details on the data that is collected and transmitted to Microsoft along with guidelines on how to prevent such a scenario.
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool 1.31 was tested by Softpedia as being 100% Free and is available for download here.