Just a few minutes ago, we released the latest build of Windows Antispyware to the public. This build will resolve issues which will make using this product better for users. Starting today, users will start to see the automatic update mechanism fire off and advise users know they have a new update available. Some of the big improvements are:
1) Software expiration will be extended to December 31, 2005.
2) Alerts Moving Quickly Across the Screen : Messages which move quickly off the screen when the start bar is not docked horizontally are also fixed. Users who dock their start bar on the sides of their screen will now be able to read messages generated from Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (beta).
This issue is what we dubbed the “Flying Toast Issue” and one which I was passionate about getting fixed in this refresh build.
3) Support for Long Descriptions: Users of older builds only have access to the short descriptions which ship as part of the signatures. These short descriptions only provide limited information about potentially unwanted software. Long descriptions in build 613 will help users by giving them more information about the potentially unwanted software detected on their PCs.
4) Improved Winsock LSP removal mechanism: In some cases, removing spyware LSPs, or can disrupt network functionality. Through enhancements made in this beta refresh, we’ve lessened the chance that this problem will occur.
This is a very exciting release, and one which will greatly improve the user experience on this excellent product.
-steve
Glad to test out MS apps, but I just installed it and I have a small problem. I uninstalled the old version, deleted the Program Files dir and then installed this one. When I have it check for updates the spyware definitions go from 5725 to 5727. If I run the check again, it does the same thing. So am I updated or not? Will it ever update in the future?
What about the issue when other people log in to the computer, and it throws a few dozen security issues because it thinks the homepage, user directory, etc. are changing?
I hate to keep bringing up 'issues' - will Microsoft be adding support for MSAS to MOM? Will they have some management tools, such as GPO templates? Maybe centralized notification? Poor dumb users get so confused (and even freaked out) by the pop-ups everytime they do something.
What about adding the possibility to manually attach a file in the suspected spyware reporting tool. Currently the reporting tool doesn't work, but I also think without this capability it is not very useful.
Great news indeed. I always run Hitman Pro too and not many spyware endures the MS AS scan :)
Hi, MSAS need to tightnen up on it's registry monitoring. For example: \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify is apparently not being monitored at all. Take a look at Sysinternals AutoRuns or HijackThis for a good selection of the areas you should be monitoring. Kind Regards Simon
IS potential issue exists with Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS). is resolved in this release as per documented in KB892375.
If you're using Microsoft AntiSpyware on your Windows 2000 or XP machine -- and you should be, it's excellent and free -- you've got an update coming. From Steve Dodson, who's working on the product at Microsoft: Just a few...
It has taken me a while to get round to reading all of the content (well most of it) on the Mainframe...
Using this latest build and disabling Real-Time Protection, my MCX connected on the first try.
Steve, Consider the GUI, try making antispyware look like its part of windows, and not like a 3rd-party standalone tool. Ie: Move settings to control panel, gui widgets mimic those of the xp set. I hate that each tool coming out of MS seems to have an entirely different GUI look and feel.
Having the same problem as ydns in his post. When I have it check for updates the spyware definitions go from 5725 to 5727. If I run the check again, it does the same thing. So am I updated or not? Will it ever update in the future?
Umm.. the new Microsoft Update activex install control is not recognized by the updated AntiSpyware program. (microsoft update is not to be confused with Windows Update).