Posted by Virus Bulletin on Oct 25, 2006
Microsoft anti-spyware product handed out free.
After a lengthy beta period, Microsoft's free anti-spyware product, renamed Windows Defender halfway through its beta cycle, has been given its official release. Originally simply entitled 'Windows AntiSpyware', the product has been available for free trial as a beta since January 2005, and had its image revamped in November last year.
Defender is now fully available as a free download, with two free support incidents included in the package. The product claims to find spyware 'quickly and easily', and to be able to block or remove the bad stuff with 'minimal interruption' to normal system operation. It only supports Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 SP1, and will not work on older or unpatched systems.
The anti-spyware functionality is also integrated into Microsoft's paid-for security product Windows Live OneCare, and is planned to be included in the forthcoming Windows Vista.
The main Windows Defender site is here.
Posted on 25 October 2006 by Virus Bulletin