Windows Defender

[xortam]

Doesn't Defender only protect against some spyware and not other malware (see http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...mparisons.mspx )? I wasn't aware of OneCare and looked it up. OneCare now includes Defender and also will protect against other malware but only runs on XP (and will not be free). I was hoping for a good free active malware blocker (versus just scanner) for W2K.

[cjolley]

I think Defender does active blocking too. Not just scanning.
But not for viruses, just spyware.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu.../overview.mspx

•Helps stop spyware before it infiltrates your computer. Offers a continuous safeguard designed to target all the ways that spyware can infiltrate your computer.

Is there some other sort of Malware you have in mind?

See this if you have problems installing it on W2K

[xortam]

I've been running Defender on W2KPro for the last week. I did have to install GDI+ first.

I'm new to this malware game as I just got hit the first time a couple weeks ago. It seems you can never be sure you're completely cleaned out even after running several tools. I want to prevent any kind of malware that would modify my system or delete/corrupt files ... not just spy on me. I need to block it in the first place. I know there are no guarantees and I guess I'm lucky I've made it this far. Reinstalling is such a PITA.

[Jessterw]

Use it in conjunction with ClamAV myself (on the Mac and the PC's).

[Sasq]

obligatory linux plug here

[Nowhere]

Yeah...reading through thread I was more and more tempted to ask "why do we waste resources on such things anyway?"

[lecter]

So that a shareware "In Da Gadda Da Vida" theme can be installed without the extra crap, for example

[The PIT]

Average and annoying with the pop ups.
Average user will say yes to everyone anyway.
Better off with spysweeper and spydoctor anyway.

Worst Microsoft product is onecare. Sucks resources thta Mcafee and Nortons would be jealous off.

[xortam]

My main concern is the trojans and keyloggers and the spyware which gleamed my confidential info that was hanging around in the IE autofill (shouldn't have been there in the first place). I've had to turn off autofill now which is kind of a pain. You land up crippling your surfing so much turning off features or prompting yet you still are vulnerable.