At a day-long Federal Trade Commission workshop Monday to increase understanding about deceptive software, Microsoft and other industry leaders detailed for U.S. regulators how they are working to reduce the threat of so-called "spyware."

These new and ongoing efforts to increase consumer education, develop anti-spyware technology and codify industry best-practices are more effective first responses than legislation to thwart the distributors of deceptive software, industry leaders said. In particular, Microsoft officials pointed to a new informational Website created by the company, and enhancements in the Microsoft Windows XP operating system that are designed to provide people better control of their PCs.

"The industry is pulling together to address the problem of deceptive software," Brian Arbogast, corporate vice president of the Identity, Mobile and Partner Services Group within Microsoft's MSN and Personal Services Division, said after the workshop. "The non-legislative solutions discussed today will provide people the tools and knowledge they need to better control their PCs and help create solid defenses against deceptive software."