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Windows AntiSpyware

Originally published by "dbarker" on 2005-01-06 08:07:00Z

Download details: Windows AntiSpyware (Beta): This is the result of Microsoft’s purchase of Giant. (that was quick…) I had a great experience with this tool today. It found seven spyware apps on my machine. Seven. And I thought I had a really clean machine.

Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed.

Don’t let the “Windows license validation” thing throw you – you can use it without validating. I wonder if this will be more effective than other tools because it knows all the Windows API secrets?

Comment by "Matt C" on 2005-01-06 11:12:00Z
I thought this was a pretty nice piece of software as well. It found 9 threats on my PC, and I like how it doesn't automatically set certain ones for deletion. I have Kazaa-Lite installed, and it warned me that it was present, but was set to "Ignore" for reccomended action. I was also impressed with the privacy features (Erase 17 different ways of tracking your web browsing!)
Comment by "Peter" on 2005-01-07 15:49:00Z
It's still the exact same software that Giant AntiSpyware sold. Same interface, same features, same scanning ability, same awesomeness. Microsoft seems to only have added cosmetic changes. I was kinda hoping Microsoft would improve on it, but it looks like they have not, and there's always room for improvement even in software that Microsoft acquires from other companies. You'd think with all the inside information they have on the inner workings of Windows and the Windows APIs there would be a lot they could do to further the program's abilities. Heck, the application still is called GianAntiSpyware.exe. Which I find rather amusing despite Microsoft slapping their logo on most of the other visible parts of the application.
Comment by "drmthtr" on 2005-01-07 16:16:00Z
picked up some stuff my search n destroy didn't...
Comment by "Deane" on 2005-01-19 11:55:00Z
I just made a manual change to my HOSTS file and this app flipped out. I got a big warning down by the system tray that a "hosts file change requires approval." Solves this problem: [http://www.gadgetopia.com/2005/01/05/DirtySpywareTrickery.html](http://www.gadgetopia.com/2005/01/05/DirtySpywareTrickery.html) Nicely done.