Microsoft's free anti-spyware hits market

By Dawn Kawamoto
Staff Writer, CNET News

3 comments

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Microsoft announced on Tuesday the general release of its free anti-spyware program, a move that significantly steps up the software maker's competitive challenge in the security industry.

Windows Defender anti-spyware is now available in English to Windows XP users, with other languages set for delivery in coming weeks. Windows Defender will also be bundled with Windows Vista, Microsoft's next-generation operating system, when it is released in January.

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Get Windows Defender and more information at Download.com

Windows Defender is expected to raise the competitive stakes with security vendors McAfee and Symantec, which charge for their anti-spyware products. The security industry has had a long time to ponder the free anti-spyware product, given that it has been in beta testing since January 2005.

Microsoft also released the Beta 2 test version of its Microsoft Certificate Lifecycle Manager on Tuesday. The software is designed to lower costs for companies that use digital certificates and smart cards by simplifying the maintenance of the certificate system. It aims to ease the administrative process and deployment of the technology, which can be handled through a centralized or self-service management system.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) (3 Comments)

happy and not
by thedreaming October 24, 2006 11:09 AM PDT: I'm happy a free realtime scanner is now available for spyare, but I'm said it's windows defender. It's not the most accurate of the free ones, but since most people will tell you to run more than one and have even a paid one, then the more the better.; Reply to this comment

Interesting. What's bad for Symantec...
by john55440 October 24, 2006 4:57 PM PDT: Between Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool, Windows Defender's very long beta testing, and OneCare, MS should have a pretty good handle on what's "out there", and how to deal with it.

Besides, anything that Symantec and McAfee hate MUST be a Good Thing. :-); Reply to this comment

In any other market... this would be called dumping!!!
by wbenton October 28, 2006 7:12 AM PDT: Except for Microsoft.

There are too many exceptions as far as Microsoft is concerned...

TOO MANY...

Just TOO MANY...

They break the coincidence barriers left and right, time and again and again and again.

Makes one wonder how Microsoft keeps the payoffs off the record!

Walt; Reply to this comment

(3 Comments)

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