Free AntiSpyware Tool From Microsoft

Windows has entered the AntiSpyware business. Just after the acquisition of Giant Company Software, (a New York-based start-up with a highly rated anti-spy-ware application), Microsoft has released a beta version of the software. Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spy-ware and other potentially unwanted software.

Does it work? It sure does! In fact the timing couldn't have been better for me. I picked up a client's PC on Wednesday that was infected with all sorts of virus's, spy-ware, ad-ware, and browser hi-jackers. In an effort to save the machine without going through the grueling process of re-installing windows, I'm attempting to fix it. The machine was so screwed up, I found it was very difficult to navigate around to back up the (many) important files and settings.

Before I got the infected machine, the usual free anti-spy-ware tools that get rid of all the nasties had been used. After downloading and installing Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta), it found over 10 more instances that the others didn't. Oh yeah, and Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) software supports only Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003, unlike the full windows support that the Giant Company's anti-spy-ware application had.

Once you get to the page and want to download the software it says the following: "This download is available to customers running genuine Microsoft Windows. Please click Continue to begin Windows validation." After clicking "Continue", the title "Validate Windows and obtain the download" appears, and your options are "Yes, please validate Windows and take me to the download. (If an ActiveX dialog box appears, please click Yes.)", or "No, do not validate Windows at this time, but take me to the download." I've tried it both ways and got to the program just the same. The funny part is when I tried to validate my "legal" windows installation on my laptop it laughed at me, and told me it wasn't legit (hey Microsoft, fix that please). It did however work just fine on my desktop PC.

This "Free" (at least for now) has a great interface that really lets you know what it is doing, what it finds, how to get rid of the nasties. While I don't think that this program should be used alone (you should use Spybot-S&D and SpywareBlaster also), it is a must for Windows (XP, 2000, & Server 2003) users.

Go get it and fight some spyware!!!!