MS Anti-Spyware (BETA)

Overview : Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves Internet browsing safety by guarding over 50 ways spyware can enter your PC.

Participants in the worldwide SpyNet™ community play a key role in determining which suspicious programs are classified as spyware. Microsoft researchers quickly develop methods to counteract these threats, which are automatically downloaded to your PC, so you stay up-to-date. The user must be an administrator to install this application.

To participate in this BETA, you’ll need to validate your copy of Windows, so have your Windows product key handy. I just installed and ran it and it found about a dozen icky things on this machine, which surprised me, considering I have several anti-spyware / anti-adware programs on this machine, and I’m usually pretty good at keeping things locked down (or so I thought). It did alert me to TightVNC, but since I installed that and I know it’s safe, it did give me the option to permanently ignore that as a threat.

Keep in mind, this is BETA software. Don’t blame me if it screws up your machine (it hasn’t screwed mine up).