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October 18th, 2005, 15:17 GMT · By Alexandru Macovschi

Microsoft Will Employ Its Classic Methods with Windows AntiSpyware

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After seeing that the strategy worked fine for Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer, Microsoft has decided to repeat it now with Windows AntiSpyware. Therefore, the next version of the popular operating system, Windows Vista, will incorporate the Redmond company's own anti-spyware solution.

This strategy might confirm Symantec and other companies' fears, who predicted
that the software giant will use the Windows monopoly to promote its products.

In Microsoft's opinion, the reasons which justify this decision are related to the safety of the computing environment. End-users and small companies would be in this way protected against the malware plaguing the Internet, the company thinks.

In addition, due to the fact that Windows Vista will offer users the possibility to choose what anti-spyware, e-mail client or media player to use, Microsoft considers that it doesn't break any rule.

It's likely that Windows fans will be thrilled by the new feature, but Microsoft's arguments are similar to those employed when the company imposed Internet Explorer. Anyway, it's obvious that if the Redmond company attempts the same strategy with the other security products, Microsoft should get ready for lawsuits which will make the one regarding the removal of Media Player from Windows XP look like a joke.

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READER COMMENTS:


Comment #1 by: ZenWarrior on 13 Jan 2006, 00:08 UTC reply to this comment

Hasn't anyone noticed that Microsoft AntiSpyware no longer works? It has not detected *well-known* and *extant* malware on any of my own or clients' systems in at least 2-3 months now. (And by extant I mean it also did not prevent infections.) I ditched it a few weeks ago for Spyware Doctor that came along afterwords and cleaned up everything Microsoft AntiSpyware seems never to have seen. In addition, I've had all my clients remove it in favor of Spyware Doctor, and apparently with nothing but extremely positive results. The bottom line: Microsoft used it to make a big splash, but then stopped swimming! Seriously, across many computers I have and/or service, it has become nothing but a waste of hard drive space and memory. (Great media ploy, Microsoft.)


Comment #2 by: Tokar on 04 Feb 2006, 23:54 UTC reply to this comment

Thats interesting that you bring that up.

I havent seen a definitions update in a long time.


I think that MS has the best detection rate, but even in this age, spyware programs aren't perfect. All of them miss something others catch.
This can be said of every product. MS, SpySweeper, AdAware, SpyBot, SpyDefense, ASR (Advanced Spyware Remover), Spyware Terminator...etc.

I do wish they would update it more. It seems they are just sitting on their asses since they know they have a product everyone will and probably already has on their machine.

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