Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta

Robyn the Ranger · Post by **Robyn the Ranger** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:48 pm

Anyone downloaded this and used it much yet? Just curious as to how well it works. I know it has realtime protection and such, but I'm just unsure of how well it does indeed work.

If anyone has any experience working with it, how is it?!

Rsak · Post by **Rsak** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:37 pm

I have downloaded it and have not had any problems. The scans are not even very burdensome on the PC during the scan compared to some others.

One thing you need to know is that you must have a "genuine" copy of Windows to run it which requires a Active X control being run to verify it. This is in conjunction with Microsoft's push to provide anything beyond basic security patches to only legitimate copies of Windows XP and the pirated copies will not be able to use without paying MS.

It does detect programs that install as well as install platforms that issue prompts on the aciton you want to take, but honestly I have not gone out trying to infect any of my PCs to test how well it stops threats.

Robyn the Ranger · Post by **Robyn the Ranger** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:48 pm

Yeah, you do have to have a legitimate copy to get it, although there is a way to get around having to verify your win-code. Just click to pass it and take you straight to the download.

And yeah, I'm not going out of my way to get stuff on my computer just to test it, but here at work, I'm sure I'll get some computers in soon enough that are bogged down that I can try it on. I'll let ya know how well it works on those systems soon as I get one in.

jookkor · Post by **jookkor** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:18 pm

I have a legitimate copy that came with my pc....but I dont have the cd or anything....so is what i am using classified as pirated since I can not provide a cd key or whatever? my old computer was the same way. never ran into problems with service packs ect.

Post by **Ddrak** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:28 pm

The CD key is recorded as part of your windows install. I'm assuming the ActiveX control just reads that and sends it to MS for verification against some list of known pirate keys.

Dd

Klast Brell · Post by **Klast Brell** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:23 pm

Last I heard they are just checking the key against a list of known leaked keys, so if you are using a “generated” key you should pass the test.

I saw a couple reviews that gave the MS Spyware package high marks. They purposely installed an assload of spyware and then ran MS, spybot and adaware to see which one cleaned out the most. The MS software had the most hits.

Bear in mind that when it comes to spyware removers the decision as to what constitutes spyware goes a long way towards determining the number of hits you get. the MS package is really paranoid and hits on more because of it.

Bahd Zoolander · Post by **Bahd Zoolander** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:45 pm

You don't have to have a legit copy yet, but you will have to someday. It marks one of my computers as bogus since I used an old volume licensing key to activate it so it won't ask me to reactivate when I switch hardware around. I suppose I'll have to fix it once it's required.

Robyn the Ranger · Post by **Robyn the Ranger** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 4:56 pm

My main reason for the interest is that I'm looking for a *currently* free program that can remove most all known spyware, specifically the "about:Blank" hijacker.

This has been a thorn in my side on the systems i've been workin on more than any other. That and eZula is a bastard, but mostly About:blank

Post by **Ddrak** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 5:27 pm

It marks one of my computers as bogus since I used an old volume licensing key to activate it so it won't ask me to reactivate when I switch hardware around.

Shouldn't they work still? I didn't think your license to use the software expired when the volume license did. /shrug.

Dd

Kliban Nimbledigits · Fri Jan 28, 2005 10:58 pm

So what about 2 computers with windows installed from the same CD? Only one computer can get this?

OH dont look at me like that. You know you do it to.

Xtizu · Post by **Xtizu** » Sat Jan 29, 2005 5:12 am

yer all dirty rotten thieves!

more warez plzkthx~

Riggen · Post by **Riggen** » Sat Jan 29, 2005 10:39 am

Ok this is strange. My computer downloaded the update apparently, but it acts like it's not there. I can't find a shortcut or reference to the tool anywhere. My copy of Windows is totally legit, btw.

Bahd Zoolander · Post by **Bahd Zoolander** » Sat Jan 29, 2005 3:16 pm

Ddrak wrote:
It marks one of my computers as bogus since I used an old volume licensing key to activate it so it won't ask me to reactivate when I switch hardware around.
Shouldn't they work still? I didn't think your license to use the software expired when the volume license did. /shrug.

Dd

The message I got from the system checker thingy led me to believe it wasn't considered valid anymore. If it doesn't work when they start enforcing it I'll just have to be a little less lazy and do the reactivation nonsense or just stop swapping parts around.