Advertisement
Promo

Desktop platforms Toolkit

Microsoft launches beta of anti-spyware app

Matt Hines CNET News

Published: 06 Jan 2005 18:05 GMT

  • Email
  • Trackback
  • Clip Link
  • Print friendly
  • Post Comment

Microsoft on Thursday introduced a beta version of its Windows AntiSpyware application.

The product is designed to help protect users of Windows products from spyware--software that's secretly installed on people's computers for a variety of purposes, such as bombarding them with pop-ups and tracking their Internet usage. The company claims the anti-spyware tools will help people keep their computers running faster and with fewer Web-related glitches.

The beta, which is available for download on the company's Web site, was built using technology that Microsoft gained through its December acquisition of Giant Software, which specialized in tools designed to fight spyware. Microsoft said that in addition to loading the software with the capability to combat many known strains of spyware, the company will continue to research emerging forms of spyware and to offer automatic updates to the product to fight new threats.

Microsoft said that users of existing Giant anti-spyware applications should continue to use those tools. The company was also quick to point out that the beta release is merely a first version of the software that the company is distributing for feedback and testing purposes.

The software maker is also working on an antivirus package, which is likely to be a standalone application. The tool is expected to be released sometime later this year.

  • Email
  • Trackback
  • Clip Link
  • Print friendlyPrint with EPSON

Did you find this article useful?
82 out of 113 people found this useful



Video icon

Video

Microsoft Windows 7 Special Report Special Report

How Microsoft can make Windows 7 a success

How Microsoft can make Windows 7 a success

Comment Many businesses have given Vista a wide berth; Microsoft must focus on five areas to make sure Windows 7 doesn't suffer the same fate, argues TechRepublic's Jason Hiner

More Special Reports

Desktop Management Benchmarking

Test Your Desktop Management Systems

How good are your company's desktop management solutions? How do they compare with those of your peers?

Take two minutes to complete our new Desktop Management and Energy Consumption benchmark, and find out what issues your business needs to focus on.


Skip Sub Navigation Links to CNET Brand Links

Help

Become part of the ZDNet community.

Newsletters