Microsoft have released a Beta of their new AntiSpyware software as they step up the fight against spyware and other unwanted software. After acquiring GIANT Company Software in December, they have been building on GIANT's existing anti-spyware products and are now ready to release their new product as a beta.
On install, it offers users a simple wizard to get the program up and running quickly, asking users if they would like:
• Real-time Security Protection – Which will prompt you if a hazard is detected.
• Joining the SpyNet community – Which will help identify new spyware and help improve protect quicker.
The software will then allow users to run a quick or custom scan on their system, update their current spyware definitions, set a scan schedule and manage real-time protection. Advanced tools allow users to restore settings on their browser after a hijack. The system explorer allows users to view and modify settings that would usually be hidden and difficult to change, such as Startup Programs, Active X controls and Toolbars. It also comes with a 'Tracks Eraser' that allows removal of nearly every stored history imaginable.
From what we've seen we've been very impressed by this Beta. As a test we activated all the Real-Time protection settings and tried to open a virus we received, both Sophos and the AntiSpyware caught it with Sophos identifying the virus and denying access to the file and the AntiSpyware identifying an unknown batchfile execution and asked us if we'd like to block it. Although we'd recommend not relying on this for Virus protection!
We then ran an install of the newly released Acrobat Reader 7, as the install was completing AntiSpyware asked us if we would like to block a startup program being added as Adobe tired to install some quick launch software which we weren't asked about during install. Clever stuff.
Currently the Beta will only work with the Windows 2000, Windows XP or Server 2003 operating systems. If you have one of these OS's we'd recommend giving the Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta a try which is available here.