Windows Defender Released !

[Daydre@m]

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]

Cool, but I think I'll stick with my Ad-Aware and Spy-bot S&D. One word; FREE.

Originally Posted by SLippe

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]

Originally Posted by grey_1

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.

[rflair]

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]

The link to it: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx

[Stoneyguy]

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]

Originally Posted by Stoneyguy

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

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 .

[SLippe]

Originally Posted by Daydre@m

No Problem

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 .

Hey, that's cool. I'll give it a shot when I get home.

[rewt]

Originally Posted by rflair

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]

If you have a valid windows its free

It comes with Vista(at least in RC1)

[Starscream]

Definitely a good download, I use this in my suite of spyware cleanup utilities on customers machines.