Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft Discusses Anti-Spyware Plans
LaughingCoder writes "Microsoft has announced their plans for the (currently free) AntiSpyware application, which is now in Beta. It is currently slotted to be bundled with Windows Vista. The end-user has the option of switching it out and using a different vendor's spyware protection if they want." From the article: "Microsoft gave an official name to its software for protecting computer users against spyware. The software, which has been known as Windows AntiSpyware Beta 1, will be called Windows Defender when the finished version becomes available next year, a Microsoft spokesperson said Tuesday. A posting on Microsoft's TechNet Web blog announced the change on Friday and also revealed some details about capabilities coming to the software. The current version of Windows AntiSpyware Beta 1 has 18 million users, the spokesperson said. "
I've become fed up with the anti spyware programs...
...
I've had Adaware detect things Spybot doesn't, Spybot detect things Adaware doesn't detect, MS's program detect things Spybot doesn't detect, etc etc etc...
My usual course of action to thoroughly cleanse a system is to boot to safe mode, run adaware > spybot > MS antispyware > HijackThis
My question is... will there ever be a program that can detect it all? Becuase so far, I haven't found one.
But can you trust Microsoft anymore with stopping spyware from installing on your computer? Have they added protection from Sony's rootkit? What will they do with Claria/Gator/GAIN spyware technology that they now have access to?
Microsoft might remove spyware apps that break Windos, but is their goal to really remove anything that can spy on you, this being the company that's introduced Microsoft Genuine Advantage?
Saskboy's blog is good. 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
Even if someone does mess up their own home directory, they won't be able to touch system files?
Spyware doesn't necessarily need to modify system files to spy on users. The information in your home directory is the most valuable.
So theoretically one could log in as an admin and easily remove the unwanted warez.
Sure, but most Windows users don't even know they have spyware. That problem needs to be solved first.
Microsoft bundling anti-spyware software with their OS is kind of like a shipbuilder installing an automatic leak plugger in a new ship.
It'd be better to build it so it didn't leak in the first place.
Don't anthropomorphize computers, they don't like it.
Spyware basically is malware takes advantage of a poorly architected Windows environment.
That's just plain wrong. I'm a Linux user and I'm no Microsoft fan but to be fair, spyware isn't Microsoft's fault. If a malicious programmer wants to write a program to say, monitor your keystrokes, or send your computer ads, and a user willingly installs it, there's really nothing Microsoft can do to stop it short of prohibiting the user from running any and all programs.
First, Microsoft is announcing this anti-spyware will be free. I'm wondering how could they charge for it? Spyware basically is malware takes advantage of a poorly architected Windows environment, n'est-ce pas? I would think it unseemly to manufacture a product that has deficiencies, then sell a product to protect against those deficiencies. (Oh, you want air in those tires? We have an addon, called valve-stems which, for now, we're offering for free.)
.bashrc? Or your GNOME session?
No, it isn't. While Spyware has used "drive-by-downloads" and other Windows flaws to install itself in the past, today's spyware is almost universally bundled with software that the user downloads and installs. Web toolbars, screensavers, background utilities, file sharing products, and other shareware is frequently loaded with spyware.
Spyware can be written for any platform. What's to stop spware from modifying your
Add to that the fact that most software is installed as root, and there is no limit to the damage that spyware-infected software could do. Even your Kernel and bootloader aren't safe.
Spyware is a problem that can affect any platform. While some spyware is undoubtably based on Windows flaws, spyware bundled with software can affect any platform.
Besides trolling, you don't seem to care anything about the discussion. Yes, the GP poster has a point. But you don't contribute anything to the discussion, you just take parts of the GP argument and turn them into a horrible straw man.
The next time you're sarcastic, please try to make a point of it. I admire the Windows user interface (well, most of it - some things i can't stand, like that stupid online registration), it's just that their security COMPLETELY SUCKS and their closed source + monopoly just makes things worse and very hard to maintain.
It's microsoft's fault their crappy OS is so open to spyware (*cough* IE, ActiveX, poor security scheme, services enabled by default, etc. etc), so, yes, MS should PAY to keep the OS we spent $200 on, clean. IMO Microsoft should pay us so we can purchase *ANY* antispyware, not necessarily theirs.
Of course alternatively, you could build the OS so that spyware can't install itself silently and start phoning home.
Do not make the mistake of believing that your platform is immune.
Spyware works on any platform because users are stupid. Almost any user will gladly reveal their administrator password if promised "free screensavers". At that point, all of the access control in the world won't help you.
No operating system that allows the user to take control of their system is immune from spyware. There are always users who will give spyware whatever permissions it needs to install.