Microsoft AntiSpyware, also known as Windows AntiSpyware, is a piece of software designed to remove, quarantine or prevent a spyware presence on Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 operating systems. It was released in beta form by Microsoft on January 6 2005 with a more recent beta released on February 16 2005. Antispyware definitions are released frequently.

Recently, at the RSA conference, Chief Software Architect and founder of Microsoft Bill Gates announced that Microsoft Antispyware will be made available free of charge to all validly licensed Windows XP and Windows 2003 users to help secure Windows users world-wide against this ever growing threat within the computer industry.

The program is based on GIANT AntiSpyware originally developed by the GIANT Company , whose acquisition was announced by Microsoft on December 16 2004. While the original GIANT AntiSpyware supported older versions of Windows, support for the Windows 9x operating system was dropped.

Microsoft will also release a similar utility for anti-virus purposes after acquiring security software firm GeCAD Software in 2003, which will probably be released in its next version of Windows currently in beta phase and code named "Longhorn" and is scheduled for release in first quarter 2006.

Microsoft AntiSpyware, not only features scanning of the system similar to other free products on the market, but also include Real Time Security agents that monitor several common areas of Windows for changes which may be caused by spyware. It also includes the ability to easily remove ActiveX applications that are installed, and to delete the histories in almost all Microsoft programs, and a number of other common programs including Acrobat. Also included is a Spynet network, that allows users to communicate with Microsoft, what they consider is spyware, and what are acceptable applications.

See also

• Microsoft Anti-Virus

External links

• Microsoft AntiSpyware official site