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Microsoft Releases AntiSpyware Program

Nathan Weinberg writes "Microsoft released this morning Microsoft AntiSpyware, the product of last month's acquisition of GIANT. As I write in my report on my site, the program is very powerful, and certainly measures up to and may even beat Spybot and Ad-Aware. However, it's also pretty buggy, and Microsoft might have already sneaked in a pay subscription service."

4 of 580 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Lots of info left out of the summary... by unixbugs · · Score: 0, Troll

    They just bought the company afterall."

    True enough, but does this illegally extend their monopoly or are they finally owning up to the problems they have caused by releasing a sub-standard (contrast Firefox) browser for all to use and abuse?

    --
    You are about to give someone a piece of your mind, something which you can ill afford...
  2. Re:Just another method... by unixbugs · · Score: 0, Troll

    Please RTF history about their businesses practices before you criticize someone else's foresight.

    Where were you when the rolled out Office? Running around telling people to download the free beta I'm sure.

    --
    You are about to give someone a piece of your mind, something which you can ill afford...
  3. Re:Information and Release by zfusion · · Score: 0, Troll

    I see a few posts below mention that this software picks up applications such as eMule and TightVNC. I am wondering if Microsoft is going to market this application in an attempt to destroy any and all free / open source software. I refuse to use this software on my system, however I would not be surprised if many free / open source applications are deemed spyware. Anyone else find anything marked as spyware that shouldn't be?

    I bet Bill Gates definition of spyware is as follows: "Any software that is real spyware, and any software that those communists use. (erm those GPL commies!)"

    What scares me the most is that MS will have more control over what software you have on your computer. Another thought just came to mind.. So you have to validate your OS, so they have your name already in a database when you registered (providing you are using a legal copy) Now if you have P2P software the RIAA / MPAA could subpoena MS for your information. A back door for the industry. MS could use this as leverage to use their technology in the movie/music industry as they have tried and failed in the past.

    Maybe I'm a conspiracy theorist, but I see a much bigger picture for this software.

  4. Re:Lots of info left out of the summary... by drmoorejr · · Score: 0, Troll

    Paying for MS Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware is like buying a car from a cealership.. then paying an extra fee if you want it to actually run.....

    Those who dilegently defend MS are gaining nothing... thererfore seem idiotic!