For those of you who aren’t already running an anti-spyware program or if you’re unhappy with what you have then I would suggest Microsoft’s latest “free” program called Windows Defender.

Previously called Microsoft Anti-Spyware (which they acquired), the new version integrates much nicer with Windows XP and works at the service level. Also, it’s no longer written in Visual Basic. It automatically updates itself to keep current and works pretty great. It comes with this “software explorer” utility that allows you to see what programs are starting up and allows you to disable/enable or remove items.

It is still currently “beta” but it’s very well behaved and can be uninstalled cleanly without affecting your setup. I highly recommend it if you’re not already running something you like.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=435BFCE7-DA2B-4A6A-AFA4-F7F14E605A0D&displaylang=en

thanks for the tip ogrooveO but warning, i had this on my TR3, run hundreds of times, and did not see a trojan that i had, only seen by NOD32 after a reinstall of the OS. I still use spybot, but that also did not detect the trojan. in fact, the other host of anti-spywares i have did not either. i am not sure u can trust any of this…false reports, missed hits, its kinda of a joke…although after actually being infected i am no longer laughing. i have two other machines in our studio right now riddled with stuff, as most computers are in Nepal. I’ll try this program on those and let you know if it works. I am getting those ready to put on the lan. I told the users they can’t plug in until the machines are clean. they looked at me like i was insane, and they are going thru P2P withdrawel right now.

so do you know about universal plug and play? it’s needed for all this p2p but all these network wonks on the web says it’s a security risk. so what to do?

here is my config here:
* dlink router with ports forwarded for p2p access
* no software firewalls turned on (users can’t deal with all the messages, and even i was frustrated with Norton Internet Security 2006, and trashed it
* NOD32 (love it)
* static IP on the internal lan
* PPOE connection out to the WAN
* all the spywares loaded and running on schedules
* all machines are now WIN XP PRO SP2

tips on internet security in that environ is appreciated!
jigs

jigs

Trojans are tricky things. Some trojans blur the lines between spyware/malware/virus and no single program can detect/clean all your problems. You have to cover you bases with a good antivirus program (NOD32 is rated very well as is my favorite Grisoft’s AVG Anti-Virus 7.1). It also helps to have the other freeware spyware checkers like SpyBot and Lavasoft’s AdAware. Of course, simply practicing safe computing practices minimizes the needs to have to run so many tools.

FWIW, Microsoft’s Defender is based on one of the most popular and effective detection tools (Giant’s AntiSpyware).

XP SP2’s built-in software firewall is decently competent and behaves well. I cannot stand Norton or McAfee’s versions of this. McAfee is the worst of them all (i call McAfee malware because it’s always popping stuff up bothering you while you’re trying to work and it slows down your system).

If you’re doing a lot of “P2P” and not being judicious then you’re bound to be asking for problems…especially if you aren’t automatically checking stuff you get immediately.

do you uninstall ms antispyware before installing this MS Defender?

Microsoft Defender will gracefully uninstall MS Antispyware for you or you can do it manually.

Yeah, I just installed it without removing MS AntiSpy and it worked fine on all my systems. Thanks Groovy.

Erik

[quote author=“gr00vy0ne”]Microsoft Defender will gracefully uninstall MS Antispyware for you or you can do it manually.

thanks! just did it!

I’ll do it later. Thanks Groovey 8)

awesome find.  how does he do it….top of everything

[quote author=“spartanman”]awesome find.  how does he do it….top of everything

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