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  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.

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#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.

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