Technology Section

Some New & FREE Anti-Spyware Software From Microsoft - It's A Must Download

March 2006

We were actually shocked when doing a routine monthly software check on one of our office computers to note that the daily anti spyware sweep had not been done for a few weeks. We were running Microsoft's free and very good AntiSpyware Beta 1. When we checked what was going on the software told us it was 'out of date'.

Mmmm. So we went to Microsoft's website to find out more. What has happened though is simple, the AntiSpyware Beta 1 software has been replaced with a new and upgraded version called 'Windows Defender (Beta 2)'. We therefore urge you to upgrade by -

1. Removing your present copy of AntiSpyware Beta 1, do the following -

   Click Start (bottom left of your screen) then Settings then Control Panel & then 'Add Remove Programs

   Locate the listing AntiSpyware Beta 1 and then click Remove

   Restart your computer if prompted

2. Download the new Windows Defender from Microsoft's website - Here and install following the online instructions

All that should work seamlessly, just make sure that you set the software up to automatically scan you software everyday. This opens up and interesting debate on whether you should leave your PC on all the time. Note that PCs are designed to be left on for months if not years so the only advantage of turning it off is to save electricity.

Personally we do because running daily antivirus and spyware scans at night doesn't get in the way of our normal work. For example, on one PC because we have a load of data and files the Antivirus scan takes about 30 mins. When it's running it uses up most of the computers resources so it's hard to do anything else. It therefore makes sense running a lot of things at night.

But if you do like to turn you PC off at night then try and make sure you still run these all important scans once a day.

Summary

Many people whinge and whine about their computers running slow or popups or other problems and 95% of these are to do with spyware. So to be cruel, if you don't run antispyware software daily then you only have yourself to blame especially when its 100% free as in Microsoft's case. Sweeping your PC for spyware is the second line in defence.

The first is to always update your Windows XP (2000 or 98) software on a regular basis. To do this follow these simple instructions -

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel
2. Depending on which Control Panel view you use, Classic or Category, do one of the following

   Click System, and then click the Automatic Updates tab

   Click Performance and Maintenance, click System, and then click the Automatic Updates tab

3. Click the option that you want. Make sure Automatic Updates is not turned off

   To summarise, always make sure your Windows software is updated and run the Microsoft's Windows Defender software and then you'll be covered for about 99% of the spyware, Trojan and other malicious software threats out there. Of course use some common sense as well and don't click on any links in spam emails.

   Good luck in running a nice clean computer system

See Also

1. How To Get Free Computer Help
2. Dump IE & Go With The Superb Mozilla Web Browser
3. How Valuable Is Your PC Data?
4. Don't Waste Money on an Expensive Computer