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Microsoft AntiSpyware thinks Firefox is Spyware

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the most-worms-are-spread-via-outlook dept.

brightertimes writes "It seems that microsoft's new AntiSpyware (beta) is now advising users to remove Firefox on their computers.. A Zeropaid.com thread shows the offending screenshot in action. Once your scanning has been done, if Firefox is found on your computer it provides the user with a "high" threat level and advising removal due to of lack of security updates." CT Several users have noted that the screenshot is likely fake.

15 of 454 comments (clear)

  1. In other news by 88NoSoup4U88 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Google's search for "Microsoft" results in full-frontal-goatity :D

  2. Re:Anti-competitive behavior by MSFanBoi · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Thanks for jumping to conclusions. This "story" is based around a lie. But hey, it's anti-Microsoft, so it must be right, right???

  3. That's a fake by Bruha · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Editors you really need to look at these stories sometimes.

  4. Re:Not true.... by anthony_dipierro · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Perhaps this was for the pre-release versions of Firefox (or could just be a hoax).

  5. Admitted photoshop by the_demiurge · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Looks like Taco didn't even RTFA...

  6. (un)intentionally? by lanc · · Score: 1, Redundant


    The real question is here - does it make it on puprose or just by mistake?

    and then ...
    do I want an anti-spyware tool which intentionally marks non-m$ software with the TO_BE_REMOVED flag?
    do I want an anti-spyware tool which is so shit that by mistake marks non-m$ software with the TO_BE_REMOVED flag?

    --
    "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win." -- Mahatma Gandhi
  7. Photoshop by rewound98 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    It's a fake image.

    Hello ... it looks like Photoshop has gotten some riled up again.

    --
    -- Rob
  8. I think this is a hoax... by yope · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Here is why: It doesn't make sense. The only thing M$ would accomplish by implementing such a blathant FUD lie, is for a lot of people not to take the results of their anti-spyware tool serious anymore. That'll be like shooting themselves in the foot.

    Think anout it for a second, this is most probably a fake screenshot.

  9. Re:bah by rhofboer · · Score: 0, Redundant

    THIS IS NOT TRUE!!! I have both FireFox & MS Anti-Spyware installed, and it only reports: WinPCap (Ethereal) - Low RealVNC - Moderate TightVNC - Moderate

  10. Don't Know Whats Funnier by puto · · Score: 1, Redundant

    1. The blatant inaccuarcy of this charge, of the co computers of my fathers office network that run firefox and microsofts anti spyware(which is just giant with a new label) this has not happened yet.

    2. None of my four machines that have windows at my own home.

    2. Nor the 1000+workstations at my job that run the combo.

    So of the 1024 windows box i am personally responsible for this has not happened.

    Not saying it is impossible but it is pretty strange.

    Have we as a community gotten better as marketing/rumor spreading than redmond? Than as something as reported we get the torches out and storm the village?

    And you know for all those screaming, VNC could be a threat if you do not know it is on the machine, but then again, after first scan, choose to ignore.

    I am operating system agnostic but it seems as if some of my fellow users of linux only time to take to know their own OS. I like to know all I can about all OS'es I can. Job security, and it is something I like to do, have for the past 28 some odd years of my life(I am 35).

    I am just glad to see some people here stepping up and saying they think it is bogus.

    Puto

    --
    The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
  11. Re:Not true.... by The+Bubble · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Why does /. post this kind of crap? This is so obviously a fake; the guy that posted the _original_ thread ( grab_grab) doesn't deserve this kind of publicity. Even respondents to the thread itself identify this obvious lie.

    We at /. should have even higher standards. How dare we spread FUD around a Microsoft product when we condemn them for the same act?

    Allowing this story to remain on the front page of /. is libelous and irresponsible. It should be removed, or at the very least, edited, as soon as possible.

  12. I does not do this on any of my machines by winkydink · · Score: 0, Redundant

    3 of them running Win2k or XP with Firefox installed.

    --

    "I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey

  13. well... by mmThe1 · · Score: 0, Redundant


    A fake screenshot and nobody verified it before posting?

    This is precisely why slashdot editors should install Windows!

  14. Re:Not true.... by game+kid · · Score: 0, Redundant
    We at /. should have even higher standards. How dare we spread FUD around a Microsoft product when we condemn them for the same act?

    Allowing this story to remain on the front page of /. is libelous and irresponsible. It should be removed, or at the very least, edited, as soon as possible.

    Exactly. Microsoft can easily sue /. (or worse, CmdrTaco or brightertimes) for false claims about its products. That is why many TV ads label such false/misinformed claims as coming from the *ahem*"leading brand." Worse yet, forum members seem proud of the duping.

    On behalf of all attentive Slashdot users...delete(this.thread); now.

    --
    You can hold down the "B" button for continuous firing.
  15. Re:Joke by Tim+C · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Because it was presented as though it were true, and the slashdot "editors" love nothing more than a good hard bash at MS, that's why. Don't expect integrity or fact checking here, it even says as much in the FAQ.

    --
    It's official. Most of you are morons.