Windows anti-spyware to come free of charge

[ronjor]

SAN FRANCISCO--Ending speculation about whether it was shifting to a paid model, Microsoft said on Tuesday that it will provide customers with its new anti-spyware software for free.

Story

Thanks Ron,

Thats Good News Indeed. I wonder when M$ will release the Anti-Spy without the subscription expiry date?

More good news from the same article, finally M$ is going to integrate/centralize OS & Office updates too.

Originally Posted by The Same Article

The company also plans to bring together its various update services and offer a single place to get security updates for each class of customer. The software giant will centralize Windows, Office and application updates through a consumer service called AutoUpdate, Gates said.

[Randy_Bell]

Microsoft to offer free anti-spyware, anti-virus software

Microsoft last month rolled out a free test version of the software that removes the unwanted spyware -- which can redirect or "hijack" Internet browsers -- based on technology from Giant Company, which Microsoft acquired in December.

At the time, Microsoft did not say whether it would eventually charge users for the program.

A paid version of the anti-spyware software will be aimed at corporate customers, who often require more complex infrastructure support.

In addition, the company will launch a new version of its Internet Explorer browser with tougher security features to help fend off threats like "phishing" -- the use of websites designed to look like a legitimate site of a bank or other firm in order to get passwords -- along with viruses and spyware, Gates said.

A test version of the new browser, version 7.0, will be available this year and it will be incorporated in the next version of Windows, Longhorn, expected to reach computer users next year.

[ronjor]

Symantec: Who's afraid of Microsoft?

AN FRANCISCO--Symantec outlined plans on Tuesday to defend its large consumer security business, as Microsoft detailed its push to enter the anti-spyware and antivirus market

Link

[nadirah]

Nice! At least Microsoft is offering this anti-spyware utility for free!

[chaos16]

but since i have had microsoft antispyware i had it scheduled to scan every night and updated every day i have had for over a month and it has never found anything?

[nadirah]

Originally Posted by chaos16

but since i have had microsoft antispyware i had it scheduled to scan every night and updated every day i have had for over a month and it has never found anything?

Wow, your computer must be really clean. But don't be too sure about that, try ad-aware and spybot S&D and see if they can find anything.

[chaos16]

i have thoughs 2 as well with spywareblaster adaware se never finds anything and spybot-searcg & destroy either

[nadirah]

Your computer must be very clean then. Congratulations.

[beetlejuice]

I'm a little late on this post, but have been wondering. Since MS Anti-spyware bought out Giant, has anybody heard if those of us that bought Giant will get our money back from MS since the same program is now free? Yeah I know. A snowballs change in ----.

[cheater87]

yahoo

[erikguy]

I guess M$ isn't all bad!!