Microsoft Anti-Spyware
With the massive amount of time hackers spend searching for and creating security breaches in Microsoft's Internet Explorer, one would expect them to have included either protection from or at least a removal program for spyware. Instead, Microsoft has opted to offer their "Windows Defender" as an add on you can download at no extra charge provided you are a licensed Windows customer. Once installed, you will find this is one of Microsoft's better ideas.
Windows Defender is a rather new service from Microsoft and overall they have done a remarkable job with it. The program gets very high reviewer ratings and has proven itself to be very effective in keeping harmful spyware off your system. Among the extra features in Windows Defender is a scheduler for automatic scan times and updates. The scans tend to be reasonably fast and seem to be performing a thorough job of deep scanning everything. Defender also offers an excellent real time guard for your internet experience. You can utilize an override option button that allows you to run programs that have been marked questionable by the program.
Designed to work on the Windows 2000, XP and 2003 operating systems as well, it was developed as a way to add some needed security to these older programs as well. As with any anti-spyware program, the occasional scan from a second anti-spyware program like "Spybot Search and Destroy" will increase your chances of maintaining an uninfected computer.
Being written with Windows in mind, this extra program offered to registered users allows you to access and correct security settings on your computer. It is by far the most intensive and effective measure they have taken in the area of spyware detection and removal and is well worth it to include Windows Defender to your security protocols.
