Microsoft Beta Seeks and Destroys Spyware

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) today released the beta version of the anti-spyware tool it promised when it bought the tiny security software company Giant last month.

Spyware slows down computers, often by displaying pop-up after pop-up, and it can track user's activities on the Web and report them back to the spyware companies. It is often quietly installed on computers when users download other applications from the Web.

Spying for Spyware

Anti-spyware works by scanning a system for what it defines as spyware and then guiding the user through the process of uninstalling it. For all spyware programs detected, Microsoft's version gives users a description of the threat, information about where it is installed on the computer, a risk rating and a suggested action.

In addition to the annoying and computer-slowing pop-up ads, spyware also can redirect a search and send a user to the wrong Web site. Less common, but still lurking, are malicious programs such as keystroke loggers that can record personal information typed on a computer.

The beta of Microsoft AntiSpyware, which was released to employees earlier this week, can be downloaded free from Microsoft's Web site. It supports Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

Microsoft has not announced if it will release the product as part of a Windows update or as a standalone product nor whether it plans to charge for it in the future.

Everyone Needs Anti-Spyware

"Obviously all PCs are affected by malware and should have malware protection/shielding and removal," IDC analyst Norma Schroder told TechNewsWorld. "Malware will try and retry to infest any PC it can get at. Maybe 50 percent of PCs -- this includes consumers -- are suffering serious performance slowdowns because of large infestations of unremoved malware."

The anti-spyware application uses a database of potential threats that is constantly updated and then scans the computer looking for the known spyware. Windows AntiSpyware also prevents new spyware from being installed on a PC.

The company also announced that it would release Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on January 11. The tool is designed to search out and eliminate worms and viruses on PCs. Updates to both applications will be available during Microsoft's regular monthly releases, the company said.