Author Topic: AntiSpyware Help: Windows Defender (Read 5150 times)

TriniXaeno · « **on:** April 27, 2006, 12:37:53 AM »

Spyware has become a serious threat to the average computer user.

Personally, I have resorted to Microsoft Antispyware to combat the threat.

It's free and does a pretty good job of preventing spyware from infecting a machine in the first place.

Not a perfact app, definitely has some serious quirks but at the asking price of "free", one can't complain.

Now Microsoft has decided to change the name of Microsoft AntiSpyware to Windows Defender.

Innocent enough.

However, they have also decided to make WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) mandatory for running of the app.

For those not familiar, WGA is a new push by Microsoft to ensure that only users with legit copies of Microsoft Windows can enjoy the benefits of their service and support. Namely downloads from the microsoft website and installation of their apps.

Prime example being, Windows Defender.

Now WGA and Windows Defender are "living" apps. That means to say they are continuously updated. You may find a means to circumvent them today but that could easily be foiled in the following months update.

As a technician, you come across all sorts of machines in the wild. Many without a legit copy of Microsoft Windows and prime victims for spyware.

Just tried the age old Spybot Search and Destroy homepage, but it is down.

What other "free" options are out there to provide decent protection that do not require WGA?

Bearing in mind that automatic updates of spyware definitions is a MUST!

Carigamers · « **on:** April 27, 2006, 12:37:53 AM »

Arcmanov · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2006, 12:44:42 AM »

The Microsoft Antispyware was actually my app of choice for that sort of thing until M$ pulled this gay WGA move on us. Now, I've had to resort to using the antispyware module built into the latest version of Zone Alarm (as a 'real-time' monitoring app), until i find an alternative.
Zone Alarm automatically updates it spyware 'definitions' as well (once you're online of course).

TriniXaeno · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2006, 12:56:04 AM »

Sounds good.

Is that anti spyware module free?

And I see that the plot has thickened.

Microsoft piracy check comes calling
Posted by etplanet on Mon, Apr 24 2006 at 8:52 PM EDT
Microsoft is taking its fight against software piracy to the desktop.

Starting Tuesday, the software maker will push out a test tool that checks whether the copy of Windows a PC is using is properly licensed. It will be sent to millions of people in the United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand, Microsoft said Monday.

Following download and installation of the "Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications" tool, users of a pirated copy will see alerts at startup, login and during their use of the operating system. The alerts read: "This copy of Windows is not genuine; you may be a victim of software counterfeiting."

Those who use a legitimate copy of the software won't see any messages, Microsoft said.

Arcmanov · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2006, 07:11:22 AM »

Actually, jus this last Tuesday gone (the 25th April, 2006) I was prompted to do a Windows update. Upon CLOSE inspection of the details of each update (i always do this), I saw this 'WGA' listed as one of them.
Of course, I downloaded all updates except that one.
Other users may not be so vigilant.

I'm using a *ahem* 'licensed' version of Zone Alarm. Not sure if the free version has the Antispyware/Antivirus modules activated by default though. I'll have to test that, or maybe someone else can say?

Spazosaurus · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2006, 07:46:59 AM »

**shudder** @ Zone Alarm. Used to be good at one time, now crashes my connection at will also takes up too much resources. Tiny or Sygate peronal firewall for me, although there's no spyware module in them.

BTW, there are ways to appear genuine to windows. I have defender running w/o a problem...for the hour.

Carigamers · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2006, 07:46:59 AM »

W1nTry · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2006, 07:57:58 AM »

Hear men bigging up MS antispyware. Let me tell you a few things. Zonealarm is made by checkpoint who for those that know, makes firewalls for all levels of networks. They're HUGE in the software firewall dept and compete with the likes of Symantec (the 2nd largest software comp in the world since they bought over Veritas, bet yuh didn't know that) and ISS to name a few. Zonealarm is also rated the 2nd best personal firewall after SYmantec Personal firewall. MS bought over GIANT who is to the best of my knowledge, NO WHERE close to as good as the names aforementioned. Also recently I had to deal with a machine heavily infected with viruses and spyware and MS Defender couldn't DO $HIT save to ask you to restart the machine every 5 mins. Sure I also used the antispyware whilst it was available, but it was strictly as a secondary defense as I keep my machines locked down pretty decently. I wouldn't advise using any MS app to protect your machine or clean you machine rather. Use it on an already clean machine with some backup like adaware or such. MS won't be able to replace your norton/symantec/avg so don't give more credit than is really due.

Spazosaurus · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2006, 08:21:05 AM »

From PERSONAL experience, ZA CRIPPLES my machine's connection, even after a lot of configuring etc and I know at least 5 of my good pardners who heavy into computers too have similar experience. I doh business who make it. It eh going on my machine UNLESS I hear it working better and even then I testing it on another machine before I put it on mine just to be sure.

It all depends on how u use your machine. I dont really visit much sites that are infested with spyware and if i happen to visit one, I steer clear away from misleading ads and downloading anything, so at the end of the day, my infection rate is slim to none. Other people may not be able to do this, but to me, that is the best method of defense. I also scan with both sybot and defender just to make sure.

W1nTry · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2006, 08:35:16 AM »

It's unfortunate you've had that experience, to be honest i've seen it act weird on some machines too. I also use Sygate (but that's no longer free, and its made by symantec btw). In the corporate world believe me when I say WHO MADE IT MAKES A HELLA difference. You don't go to a CISCO only shop to sell 3Com. The quality of a product stems heavily from the makers so your point about it not mattering is a bit naive but small thing, I can appreciate that if it doesn't work for you, then it's prolly not for you. I also am trying to figure out how it 'cripples' your machine, in fact I would like to know more about the specifics as it'd be intuitive should I or anyone else experience it. Let us know what you did to configure, what it was 'crippling' and who knows, someone here might know the root of your woes.

Arcmanov · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2006, 08:39:53 AM »

Its not about 'giving credit' or 'biggin up'. I can personally attest to M$ Antispyware's effectiveness in stopping threats and hijacks. I myself also use Zone Alarm and AVG, and they are very good apps. I don't think anyone said it should be used by itself. That would be foolhardy.

I think M$ made a noble effort with their app to combat spyware, but its a shame they had to resort to this new WGA bullsh!t when sloppy programming on their part is the reason why Windows has/had so many exploits/security flaws.

To Daaak_Neo:
If you use default settings with Zone Alarm, you may have problems. You really need to 'tailor' it to your specific network environment. During installation, it asks some very pertinent questions that should be answered correctly, which helps a lot. After setup is done, you might want to go to the 'Program Control' section and move the Program Control slider to 'Low', which puts Zone Alarm in 'learning mode'. This way, it wont bug you with permission dialogs every 2 minutes.

Spazosaurus · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2006, 04:14:28 PM »

Ok Win, I used it back when I was on dialup, and i dont need to say that it doesnt take much to cripple that. I honestly havent used it since I got the DSL connection so I truly cannot say that i get the same problem. Also it was a while back, so details on how I configured is very hazy. To be fair, I would give it a try again in order to see if i'm having any problems.

TriniXaeno · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2006, 04:46:41 PM »

good point w1ntry, but what would you recommend as a "free" replacement for Windows Defender/AntiSpyware that provides live updates from the internet?

PS, Symantec only recently acquired Sygate and by extension, their firewall software. They plan to terminate the line.

Tiny is now known as Kerio and that is a great firewall product. I use both the enterprise and consumer versions. The latter was discontinued then picked up by company called SunBelt and re-released as a 30 day trial that continues to function after expiration.

Sorry state of affairs.

Nephilim · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2006, 11:23:43 PM »

http://www.spywareterminator.com/app/features.aspx

i've been searching for a replacement for M$ defender for a while now, and you've basically summed up all the things i need in secondary malware protection (antspyware/adware etc) this is the best i could come up with, i can't complain about it, i've had no problems with it (usage ~ 3 months).
try it out, if you think otherwise small thing but this to me is the best alternative. (maybe the only?

)

W1nTry · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2006, 11:31:16 AM »

AVG is free and spybot/adaware amoungst another good one I can't recall right now.

Saxito Pau · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2006, 07:39:47 PM »

From what I read and my own experiences in spyware removal....

The only program that I use that have the free auto-update are MS Antispware nka windows Defender.

I avoid Windows Defender because of that same WGA crap. Exception is when the PC I fixing have a legal copy of XP.
MS AntiSpyware (at least the copy I have) will work till end of July.

Baego you go be real hard pressed to find free and auto-update in the same program outside of MS products.... is either yuh crack the program or be a good boy and pay for a version that enables the auto update feature.

Programs I fine does work for me (in order of my preference):
-Ad-aware SE Personal 1.06
-Tenebril SpyCatcher Express
-Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4
-Spyware Doctor 3.2 (it have newer, but those version want yuh pay to update now)
-Webroot Spyware Sweeper 4.5 (works fully for 2 weeks,with auto-update; then pay)

My list...sory baego.... is almost exclusively manual scan

devon.. i ent so sure about that spyware Terminator program..
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#spyterm_note
but if it works for you, let me know and i go check it out

last note.. MS antispyware doh work very well for me... the most common crap it gets but i fine it does miss plenty others

TriniXaeno · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2006, 10:23:14 PM »

I use similar tools to you gds and the modus is the same.

Wish something better was avaibable. As is, Windows Defender is the best of the lot and is a considerable improvement over MS Antispyware.

Seems one will need a legit windows XP for hassle free computing on the internet. If not, it will be a constant battle with spyware and virii.

Thanks Devon for the heads up on Spyware Terminator.

I read a review on CNET, not too favourable but still worth a shot considering it's free.

See below:

Of all of the many ASW apps out there only a very few are really effective.

Scanners with ref databases like Spyware Terminator have been outclassed by polymorphic spyware, which behave like trojans, and if you really want adequate protection you are going to have to get more 'state of the art' about it.

Spyware Terminator is by no means state of the art, and it has consistently performed very poorly against real spyware threats.

I use Ewido Anti-Malware and Privacy Software Corporation's BOclean myself, in addition to AVG Antivirus, SpywareBlaster and HijackThis.

Nephilim · « **Reply #15 on:** May 01, 2006, 11:14:48 PM »

there was one other program i read up about on sourceforge called winpooch but it ah lil difficult to use and was mainly used to provide real time protection for calmwin

Arcmanov · « **Reply #16 on:** May 03, 2006, 09:56:40 PM »

I've been using the Spyware Terminator for a few days now, and I must say it is working as I expect it to. Doing its daily scans and whatnot.

My systems for the most part are spyware free (as verified by Adaware, Spybot, etc), so I would need to put it up against some real beefy spyware on another PC to really test its mettle.

Will update as I glean more info.

Jdcrys_Shinkuu · « **Reply #17 on:** May 16, 2006, 11:47:26 AM »

do these apps have "permission" to scan running processes? has microsoft allowed 3rd party software to do this or are they only allowing ms antispyware to do this?

Falener · « **Reply #18 on:** May 27, 2006, 06:45:07 PM »

dont use zone alarm, can mess up yuh experience on the pc. u can download ad-aware se personal but there is an attachment that u have to pay (Ad-Watch comes with ad-aware professional) which has the real time protection; go on www.phazeddl.com and u can get it from there free just search for it and dl it! (you did not hear that from me lol)

TriniXaeno · « **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2006, 11:24:36 AM »

if you get it for free (as in illegal) then they would surely notice when you are updating the definitions.

That's the catch with these live internet based apps.

Carigamers · « **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2006, 11:24:36 AM »

Author Topic: AntiSpyware Help: Windows Defender (Read 5150 times)

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