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View Full Version : Windows Defender Released !

Daydre@m
10-24-06, 10:06 PM
Link : http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4688


Microsoft rolls out the final version of its anti-spyware utility


Microsoft has released the final version of its Windows Defender anti-spyware utility. The program has been in beta for the past two years and is now available for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

Windows Defender is a product of the Microsoft acquisition of GIANT Software. The December 16, 2004 acquisition resulted in the first iteration of the software, Windows AntiSpyware, which was a thinly veiled copy of GIANT’s AntiSpyware. Over the past two years, numerous updates have been made to the utility along with the name change to Windows Defender.

Windows Defender incorporates Real-Time Protection to monitor systems for spyware activity, automated spyware removal with scheduled scans, full integration with Internet Explorer 7.0 and automatic spyware definition updates from Microsoft.

Windows Defender is available freely to all customers running a genuine copy of Windows. Microsoft has also announced that customers will each be allowed to report two support incidents for free with Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

With Symantec having already reported Microsoft to the European Union for anti-trust violations over its Kernel PatchGuard protection in Vista, there's no telling how Symantec and McAfee feel about Microsoft offering a free anti-spyware utility.



I like it , have used it many times (the beta) when I had spyware problems and it worked very well for me ... might give it a shot later today.*



*Bold part of the post edited later on.
SLippe
10-24-06, 10:33 PM
Cool, but I think I'll stick with my Ad-Aware and Spy-bot S&D. One word; FREE.
grey_1
10-24-06, 10:38 PM
Cool, but I think I'll stick with my Ad-Aware and Spy-bot S&D. One word; FREE.
Same here, price can't be beat and between the 2 of them not much sneaks by.
SLippe
10-24-06, 10:43 PM
Same here, price can't be beat and between the 2 of them not much sneaks by.
Nope. Plus, I forgot to mention I use Firefox 2. :D
rflair
10-24-06, 10:56 PM
I downloaded the Final for free from MS, I don't think you have to buy it.

Nah its free, the last line about Symantec filing antitrust violations is bothersome, Vista has a less hackable core and Symantec wants them to make it more hackable?
OWA
10-24-06, 11:49 PM
The link to it: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
Stoneyguy
10-24-06, 11:57 PM
Well as far as I know, nothing has sneaked past my Zone Alarm Suite, but since this is free I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the heads up on this going final Daydre@m.
Daydre@m
10-25-06, 12:05 AM
Well as far as I know, nothing has sneaked past my Zone Alarm Suite, but since this is free I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the heads up on this going final Daydre@m.

No Problem :thumbsup:

I just noticed, it was my mistake in the first post, Windows Defender is FREE, you don't need to buy it. All you need is a Genuine Copy of Windows (which i am sure we all have). I think i got a bit too hasty :p.
SLippe
10-25-06, 12:50 AM
No Problem :thumbsup:

I just noticed, it was my mistake in the first post, Windows Defender is FREE, you don't need to buy it. All you need is a Genuine Copy of Windows (which i am sure we all have). I think i got a bit too hasty :p.
Hey, that's cool. I'll give it a shot when I get home.
rewt
10-25-06, 01:03 AM
Symantec wants them to make it more hackable?

I heard Microsoft may actually be considering doing this in Service Pack 1... Removing kernel protection.. Stupid if you ask me..
hemmy
10-29-06, 11:33 PM
If you have a valid windows its free :o

It comes with Vista(at least in RC1)
Starscream
10-30-06, 01:56 AM
Definitely a good download, I use this in my suite of spyware cleanup utilities on customers machines.
K007
10-30-06, 04:23 AM
Wonder if nvnews can do a review up on this..it might be worthwhile to go to this one..but i dont want to uninstall my current stuff of NOD32/Kerio and Spybot
nekrosoft13
10-30-06, 11:29 AM
you have WinRoute Firewall?

quick review? memory usage? processes? would be appreciated
SLippe
11-05-06, 06:29 PM
If you have a valid windows its free :o
Or at least a valid cd key. (lee63) FTW!
Nitz Walsh
11-05-06, 11:53 PM
As mentioned Defender is free as well, but what's good about it is that unlike Ad-Aware and Spybot, it provides real-time protection whereas those programs require $$ to get that feature.

While I'll always recommend using several programs to clean an already infested PC, the point is to stop spyware from getting installed in the first place. From my (albeit limited) experience, MS Defender does a good job of that - especially since it stays out of your way until it's really noticed something suspicious, which is quite a nice departure from MS's usual tactic.

Frankly, if you have any friends/family who use you as their tech support, give their PC's a good scan with several spyware apps, then install MS defender once the system is clean. Chances are you'll hardly ever have to clean spyware from their PC's again (especially if you can get them to switch to Firefox, or at least IE7).
SLippe
11-06-06, 12:54 AM
I installed this earlier today and it seems to be a pretty good program. I do like the fact that it is running a real-time scan and that the icon doesn't appear until it finds something, unless you change the setting in Options. I recommend this program as well.