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Spyware - something to worry about?

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I think the answer is a resounding - Yes! as I am sure you will agree. However, is it something that is being effectively being dealt with using the tools currently available, or are we struggling to cope? I would like to think that we can use various tools to give us a good amount of peace of mind.

Whilst sitting here in Redmond (getting my kool-aid) I was pondering spyware. Okay I wasn't really paying attention in a session and playing with the various spyware tools installed on my laptop. Lots of you have asked during Malware and other presentations, "what tools are most effective to deal with spyware?". I have in many instances suggested tools such as Ad-Aware and Spybot. Several people have also commented on a 'shortcoming' of the new IE enhancements within XP SP2, that you could disable add-ons but not delete them. Well, I would like to suggest that you also take a look at the new Microsoft Anti-Spyware tool.

If you haven't already done so, download the tool: https://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx and have a play. It is free and please keep in mind that it is a Beta tool at present, but I (and many others) have been merrily using it for a while both internally and externally. I understand that there have been hundreds of millions of downloads of the tool since it's release.....

Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 17, 2005
    Nicely put Sir!
  • Anonymous
    January 17, 2005
    One of most advantages about using Microsoft Spyware is real-time protection function in this freeware as Ad-Ware and Spybot free version don't have it.
  • Anonymous
    January 18, 2005
    The GIANT/MS tool is OK, but we're all really waiting for a CORPORATE solution...preferably one with nice hooks in to Group Policy and/or SUS, thanks.

    Apparently it's coming, but I wonder about the ETA.

    Anyway, it's good that MS stepped up to the plate on this serious problem, it seems like the AV vendors weren't willing to do it.
  • Anonymous
    January 18, 2005
    Downloaded and installed Spyware Stormer. Now, like many others, want to uninstall it but there is no Uninstall for it and it is not in Add/Remove Programs. It is shown on C:Programs but will deleting it from Control Panel, Programs icon remove all registry? Or, should I go back to a Restore period in my MS XP Home Edition to a time before I installed it?
    Any help will be very greatly appreciated. Gramma