The Active Network
ActiveMac Anonymous | Create a User | Reviews | News | Forums | Advertise  
 

  *  

  Microsoft's AntiSpyware has too many shortcomings
Time: 10:08 EST/15:08 GMT | News Source: E-Mail | Posted By: Chris Hedlund

Microsoft, whose Windows operating system has been plagued by viruses, spyware and other security problems in recent years, last week began rolling out some free software to help users cope with those threats. The software giant introduced a "beta," or preliminary, version of a free product designed to block, detect and remove spyware. A free antivirus program is planned for later release. Unfortunately, the company's first free security program has some serious flaws and lapses.

Write Comment
Return to News

  Displaying 1 through 25 of 343
Last | Next
  The time now is 1:04:38 PM ET.
Any comment problems? E-mail us
#1 By 1295 (216.84.210.100) at 1/17/2005 10:46:25 AM
Had to stop reading when I hit:

"The usual way of handling this, with programs like Spy Sweeper, is to detect the page changes and to restore the user's original choices. But the Microsoft program tries to replace the spyware pages with home and search pages from MSN, Microsoft's own online service. This smacks of the same kind of coercion the spyware authors are using."

Microsoft bias only hurts people. Yes it defaults to Microsoft's websites which is simply a programming decision if you ask me. MS can't be sure that the current settings when the software is installed isn't legit or bad. So they default it with known "good" url's, in fact it even notifies you what the "Internet Explorer default setting" is, which could explain where it gets the default value for the "Restore Setting To". I would like to see an option that copies the "Current Settings" to the "Restore Settings To", but the fact that you can change the "Restore Setting To" values w/o much hassle is reason enough to know that either this author sucks at reviewing/testing software or he is anti-microsoft and bypassed his usual processes for reviewing/testing the software due to his views.

And when it comes to cookies... I really don't give a rats hairy a*s who does or does not know where I go on the net. I don't like cookies on my computer, not because of privacy, but because they are tiny little files that extend the time of my backup and clutter up my file system.

#2 By 6859 (206.156.242.39) at 1/17/2005 11:26:04 AM
This article plainly sucks. He bashes MS for being insecure, foists his own choice of antispyware on us, complains MS shouldn't be in the security arena, then picks abart the flaws in a BETA product.

This guy is a moron of the highest calibre. There's nothing to see here, folks. Move along and dont' feed the troll.

#3 By 2960 (156.80.64.203) at 1/17/2005 11:40:15 AM
While I have my concerns, this guys list ain't it.

My main concern is that I question whether Microsoft can maintain the detection database effectively and objectively. Microsoft has too many partners in the industry, including advertising, and I just _know_ the bean-counters will pop their heads in the lab and say "Hey, you can't remove that adware. They are a client of ours and the CEO has filed a complaint with Bill".

It would have been better off in private hands that had on conflicts of interest.

TL

#4 By 143 (68.74.59.35) at 1/17/2005 11:59:04 AM
Microsoft is dammed if they do or dammed if they don't.

This article looks more like an religious issue.

#5 By 2332 (204.9.221.60) at 1/17/2005 12:54:04 PM
#4 - I would think smaller anti-Spyware companies would be more susceptible to pressures from Spyware companies.

Spyware companies have lots of money, and they can use that to buy their way out of anti-spyware apps, or use it to pay lawyers to suit the crap out of anti-spyware companies.

#6 By 2960 (156.80.64.203) at 1/17/2005 1:24:27 PM
I dont' think so, personaly. It's the professional connections that will be a road block as I see it.

The smaller guys can just tell them to go pack sand. They don't have any financial ties with them.

TL

#7 By 1295 (216.84.210.100) at 1/17/2005 1:26:26 PM
#4 I agree. But I think that they are seeing more problems with their numbers from users jumping ship from Windows. I also think that #6 has a good point... smaller anti-Spyware companies can be bought out buy their targets much easier than MS.

Really I think the bean counters are probably the ones telling MS to get into the anti-spyware/virus business out of the box. Their Windows product is getting raped by Spyware/Viruses and less and less people will use it because its a flawed mousetrap. If less people use Windows then less people will use Office... then MS is really in trouble.

#5 - Amen!

#8 By 2332 (66.92.78.189) at 1/18/2005 12:56:51 AM
There is one problem with the Microsoft Antispyware that I've found that is essentially a show-stopper for me using it.

As far as I can tell, MSAS is unable to detect polymorphic files. It seems to use a combination of path, filename, and CRC to determine if the file is spyware... the problem is, most "good" spyware is polymorphic. It can modify its CRC dynamically, thereby rendering it invisible to MSAS.

Has anybody been able to detect any polymorphic spyware using MSAS?

#9 By 12071 (203.206.248.46) at 1/18/2005 7:40:10 AM
#1 You backup your Cookies? Why not just skip the Cookies and Temporary Internet Files directories?

#3 It's only beta because Microsoft claim it to be. It's just a slightly modified version of Giant's AntiSpyware which was in no way a beta.

Regardless of shortcomings - which will surely be looked at - Giant's product was one of the best available on the Market which is precisely why Microsoft bought them out and stuck their name on the product. Any shortcomings are really Giant's shortcomings not Microsofts.

#10 By 26684 (134.163.253.127) at 1/18/2005 8:31:51 AM
The MS Antispyware is ok. It does not find all the things that Spy Sweeper does... but if found some that Spy Sweeper did not. Like most articles that I read... you should not just rely on 1 Spy Sweeper Program. I used to run 3, but now with Microsoft's Free Trail, I now run 4 different Spyware Programs. I use Spy Sweeper on my computer all the time... but when I clean a friends computer. I use the following to try an get rid of most of the Spyware.
1. Spy Sweeper
2. Spybot Search and Destroy
3. Scan Spyware
4. MS AntiSpyware

Just an Idea on some of what I think are great Spyware Programs.

#11 By 2332 (66.92.78.189) at 1/18/2005 9:37:04 AM
#14 - From what I can tell, the malware you mentioned isn't really polymorphic. They simply modify their filenames randomly. That's like a poor mans polymorph.

#12 By 217869 (77.91.130.42) at 4/13/2009 11:17:05 AM
Flv] files which I can't view!
I know there is a way! to download youtube in normal format.
I downloladed this nice free [url=http://MovieSherlock.com/]mac youtube downloader[/url], but its extemely ugly, however it downloads and converters youtube movies for me.
But this tool is ugly :(
Can anyone help me, recommend some other software right software to use?


#13 By 217869 (77.91.130.42) at 5/21/2009 12:43:11 PM
Flv] files which I can't view! And they always has
cocos names.
I know there is possibility to download youtube in playble file.
I liked this [url=http://www.MovieSherlock.com]mac youtube downloader[/url] (MovieSherlock), but its
extemely simple. It converts and downloads youtube movies for me.


Can anyone help me, recommend some other software to use to download and convert youtube on mac?



#14 By 230217 (77.91.130.42) at 8/12/2009 3:57:55 PM
I wondered some times if there is a way to save YouTube to my mac hard drive brief search put me on some web sites where I had to put link into the field and wait until file is downloaded. But I couln't play that file! It was in flw format.
This mac soft is [url=http://moviesherlock.com]youtube mac[/url] helped me. It's extremely easy to download youtube for me now [img]http://moviesherlock.com/screenshots/MovieSherlock_download_and_convert_YouTube.png[/img]

Just run the software, type the movie you like / press search button and download the movies. It downloads movie in the format that can be easily played on your Mac! Movies are at ~/Movies folder.
The utility will download as much moveis at the same time as you can handle!

Now YouTube is on my hard drive :)


#15 By 236559 (77.91.130.42) at 8/28/2009 4:48:28 PM
Hello dons

I followed the internet for a month in order to solve the following problems to me:
1. where can I download latest episodes of Heroes (its extemely amazing and fun series) for free
2. copy them to my iPhone 3Gs
3. download them to my uncle samsung

Let me share with you the solution for the first two points, expecting someone can advice me how to solve the third problem
(media-converter.info) web [url=http://media-converter.com]media converter[/url] has discount software pack that solves my two questions. Their online downloader on fly catch videos from hulu and saves them under AVI for me. Media converter converted and even copied those movies to my device.
It really works, but I need also these movies to another device. Any ideas?

#16 By 341498 (91.201.66.81) at 5/14/2010 10:50:01 AM
[url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/]Erin Andrews Naked Peephole[/url]
Watch Erin Andrews Peephole Video
Download Erin Andrews Peep Video
Video Of Erin Andrews Peep Hole Watch Erin Andrews Peephole Video Erin Andrews Peep Compilation Erin Andrews Peep Hole Vidos Erin Andrews Free Peep Hole Video Erin Andrews Naked Peep Where To Find Erin Andrews Peephole Video
see more:
[url=http://forums.aetolia.com/index.php?showuser=61178]Erin Andrews Peephole Video Torrent[/url]
[url=http://www.phonepromocodes.com/community/post229265.html#p229265]Erin Andrews Peep Video Vid Caps[/url]

#17 By 355114 (91.201.66.81) at 6/21/2010 2:39:31 AM
Download erin andrews video fot free, free download erin andrews video from rapidshare and other file hosts.Erin Andrews Received Death Threats, Lawyer Says; Security Elevated at Dancing with the Stars - Get your daily celebrity dish on omg Less than a month after a man [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/note-4-2.html]Erin Andrews Peephole Video Pics[/url] 18 Mar 2010 Dancing with the Stars contestant Erin Andrews could not be happier with her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy. He is the best, so I wanted to be [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/]Erin Andrews Peephole Naked[/url]
see more:
[url=http://valentinarae.com/forum/index.php?topic=3525.new#new]Erin Andrews Peephole Video In Hd[/url]
Where Can I Download Erin Andrews Peephole Video

#18 By 355381 (91.201.66.81) at 6/24/2010 2:53:41 AM
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Erin Andrews has been getting death threats in a stream of e-mails to a media outlet, an attorney for the ESPN reporter and "DancingPlay online games search for scooby doo games. Addicting games Pogo games Free online games Pool games Motorbike games Contacts [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/erin-andrews-peephole-photo.html]Erin Andrews Peephole Photo[/url] So far, so good for Erin Andrews, Dancing With the Stars celebrity. She's had solid performances in back-to-back weeks, and she'll happily admit that [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/]Erin Andrews Peephole Videos[/url]
see more:
[url=http://wowbantayan.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=41527]Erin Andrews Extended Peephole Video[/url]
Blog Erin Andrews Peephole

#19 By 356885 (91.201.66.81) at 6/26/2010 11:52:10 AM
29 Mar 2010 Erin Andrews, a graduate of the University of Florida, is currently in negotiations for a new contract with ESPN.Story analysis for Erin Andrews Death . Quickly understand and learn about Erin Andrews Death from your favorite sources. [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/erin-andrews-peep-hole-video-link.html]Erin Andrews Peep Hole Video Link[/url] Erin Andrews' lawyer says the ESPN reporter is under some level of protection due to recent death threats. [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/]Erin Andrews Hotel Room Peephole[/url]
see more:
[url=http://www.vietphila.com/phila-giang-general-chat-f8/erin-andrews-peep-video-vid-caps-t88376.html]Erin Andrews Peep Video Vid Caps[/url]
Erin Andrews Peep Actual Video

#20 By 356885 (91.201.66.81) at 6/26/2010 5:50:22 PM
Local news from WTSP.com 10 Connects covering Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Sarasota.15 Mar 2010 Michael Barrett, who's famous for filming the nude peephole videos of ESPN's Erin Andrews, is being sentenced today in Los Angeles. [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/erin-andrews-peephole-naked.html]Erin Andrews Peephole Naked[/url] 6 Apr 2010 Virginia FBI probes threats against Erin Andrews, The Norfolk office of the FBI is investigating death threats against ESPN sportscaster and [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/]Erin Andrews Peep Hole Video Watch[/url]
see more:
[url=http://www.plus4.co.jp/cgi/user/kaze/bbs/bbs.cgi?page=40]Free Erin Andrews P[/url]
Erin Andrews Peep Pic

#21 By 358186 (91.201.66.81) at 6/29/2010 2:35:02 PM
Another rumored couple, Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy gave a moving performance Monday night - despite death threats targeting Andrews.Erin Andrews information from the latest news articles, videos, photos, blogs and commentary about Erin Andrews. [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/erin-andrews-peep-hole-click-here-peeping-tom.html]Erin Andrews Peep Hole Click Here Peeping Tom[/url] 4. who is Erin Andrews? is she will buy gold bar? please klik duniaemas. blogpspot.com. Posted at 11:21AM on 10th 2010 by gold [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/]Erin Andrews Peep Actual Video[/url]
see more:
[url=http://www.balonmano.ws/member.php?u=6795]Where Can I Watch The Erin Andrews Peephole Video[/url]
Where Can I See The Full Video Of Erin Andrews Peep Whole

#22 By 358186 (91.201.66.81) at 6/29/2010 7:38:39 PM
Erin Andrews Received Death Threats, Lawyer Says; Security Elevated Andrews' attorney, Marshall Grossman, says at least a dozen e-mails were sent to a media19 Jul 2009 Hell, I didn't even know who Erin Andrews is, not having watched ESPN in a while . And assuming this is legit, you are perpetuating a [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/erin-andrews-images-peep.html]Erin Andrews Images Peep[/url] 22 Nov 2009 So a website that I adore more than any other website on the net, I am talking about Busted Coverage, did a post about a girl named [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/]Erin Andrews Peep Hole Click Here[/url]
see more:
[url=http://tackafrica.com/forum/?p=4]Erin Andrews Peep Hole Blog[/url]
Free Erin Andrews Peephole

#23 By 358186 (91.201.66.81) at 7/3/2010 1:11:57 AM
Pamela Anderson has reached out to her fellow Dancing With The Stars contestant Erin Andrews after the sportscaster was hit by sick death threats on the show.26 Mar 2010 "Dancing with the Stars" returns for the second night of competition on Monday - - and both Erin Andrews and Evan Lysacek tell ET they are [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/erin-andrews-peephole-video-torrent.html]Erin Andrews Peephole Video Torrent[/url] Erin Andrews has been getting death threats, a lawyer for the ESPN reporter and Dancing with the Stars contestant revealed. [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/]Watch Erin Andrews Peep[/url]
see more:
[url=http://www.mtxaudio.eu/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=71798]Erin Andrews Peep Actual Video[/url]
Erin Andrews Peephole Video Link

#24 By 358186 (91.201.66.81) at 7/3/2010 6:35:09 AM
29 March 2010. 55 pictures of Erin Andrews. Recent images. Hot! View the latest Erin Andrews photos. Large gallery of Erin Andrews pics. Movie posters.Death threats prompt tighter security for Erin Andrews, First she was secretly videotaped in the nude. Now she's receiving death threats. At least a dozen e-mails [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/erin-andrews-peephole-video-pics.html]Erin Andrews Peephole Video Pics[/url] 15 Mar 2010 An Illinois insurance executive who secretly shot nude videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews was sentenced Monday to 21 2 years in prison [url=http://erinandrewspeephole.net/]Erin Andrews Peep Hlevideo[/url]
see more:
[url=http://www.drawerbuilder.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=3331]View Erin Andrews Peep Hole Forum[/url]
Erin Andrews Peep Camera

#25 By 364387 (174.138.171.86) at 7/8/2010 3:38:56 AM
ÎÂ×ÜÀí Ô­Éù£º¡°Ôª³¯ÓÐһλ»­¼Ò½Ð»Æ¹«Íû£¬Ëû»­ÁËÒ»·ùÖøÃûµÄ¡¶¸»´ºÉ½¾Óͼ¡·£¬79ËêÍê³É£¬Íê³ÉÖ®ºó¾ÍÈ¥ÊÀÁË¡£¼¸°ÙÄêÀ´£¬Õ⸱»­Õ·×ªÁ÷ÊÅ£¬µ«ÏÖÔÚÎÒÖªµÀ£¬Ò»°ë·ÅÔÚº¼Öݲ©Îï¹Ý£¬Ò»°ë·ÅÔŲ́±±¹Ê¹¬²©Îï¹Ý£¬ÎÒÏ£ÍûÁ½·ù»­£¬Ê²Ã´Ê±ºòÄܺϳÉÒ»·ù»­¡£»­ÊÇÈç´Ë£¬È˺ÎÒÔ¿°¡£¡±

ºè°ËÒ°OctvillasλÓÚº¼Öݸ»´º½­ÅÏ£¬µØ´¦»Æ¹«ÍûËù×÷¡¶¸»´ºÉ½¾Óͼ¡·Ãû»­°æͼ֮ÖУ¬Ïֻƹ«Íû´åËùÔڵأ¬Óм«ÆäÉîºñµÄÎÄ»¯µ×ÔÌ£¬ºè°ËÒ°OctvillasʤÑûÑÇÖÞÁù¸ö¹ú¼Ò8+1붥¼âÉè¼Æʦ£¬¹²Í¬´òÔìÒ»¸öÔ­´´¸ß¶ËÎïÒµ¼¯Èº£¬ÔÙÏÖ¡¶Ð¸»´ºÉ½¾Óͼ¡·È˾ÓÒâ¾³£¬½«¡°ÑÇÖÞµÄÉú»î̬¶È¡±ÀíÄîÍÆÏòеĸ߶ˡ£
http://www.hongmao-ltd.com/huanggongwang.html и»´ºÉ½¾Óͼ

Write Comment
Return to News
  Displaying 1 through 25 of 343
Last | Next
  The time now is 1:04:38 PM ET.
Any comment problems? E-mail us
User name and password:

 

  *  
  *   *