Microsoft Windows Defender beta: One easy interface

Microsoft will soon be putting pressure on anti-spyware vendors to provide better performance and more valuable features. Once Microsoft releases its anti-spyware program for Windows, other vendors will have a harder sell. The software is free to legitimate owners of the Windows operating system.

We took a look at the beta version of the program, which is currently called Windows Defender and available for download here. And we were generally impressed.

The program’s interface is one of the easiest to use. Automatic scans are simple to configure, and if you have a constant Internet connection, you can also specify that the program check for updates before scanning.

The program also monitors your wireless network and alerts you if someone else is using it. It tracks and notifies you to changes in many Windows configuration settings, including TCP/IP settings, the Hosts file, Winsock Layered Service Providers and the Messenger service. In addition to scanning for spyware signatures, Windows Defender monitors more than 50 Windows and Web browser components that spyware often targets. The program also gives a detailed profile of all programs and services running on your computer.

One major limitation of Windows Defender — at least in this beta version — is that it doesn’t integrate with browsers other than Internet Explorer. If you use a different browser, you’ll still have general protection against spyware, but you won’t have nice features such as monitoring of changes to your browser. Also, note that the program’s protection against malicious ActiveX controls only works through Internet Explorer.

Also, the beta version of the software does not monitor cookies.

Finally, although Windows Defender did a great job of alerting us to suspicious behavior, the beta program failed to catch two of the key loggers we had installed on our test system. Hopefully, Microsoft will fix that weakness before releasing the program to the public.

Steps to protect yourself:

In addition to installing an anti-spyware solution, you should take several steps to protect your computer against spyware.

• Be cautious about visiting Web sites and downloading software. Most spyware arrives on computers from Web sites that offer downloadable freeware or shareware. Don’t download anything from a site unless you trust it. Close any windows that pop up by using the “X” in the corner of the window instead of clicking on any buttons in the window.


• Use a firewall. Firewalls can prevent hackers from directly planting spyware on your computer.


• Check security settings in your Web browser. Most Web browsers allow you to prevent scripts and ActiveX applets from downloading. Browsers also let you control whether your computer stores cookies.


• Update your operating system software. Spyware often exploits vulnerabilities in your operating system, so keep current with system patches to provide significant protection.

Symptoms of spyware infection:

• Pop-up advertisements. If you have advertisements pop up when your browser is not running, you may have inadvertently installed adware. These pop ups cannot be prevented by pop-up blockers, which only block advertisements triggered by visiting a Web site.


• Configuration changes. If your home page has been changed and you can’t change it back, you are probably the victim of a piece of hijacker spyware. Spyware may also change other configuration settings on your computer and may install toolbars to your browser or other applications.


• Sluggish performance or system crashes. Spyware designers don’t put much effort into making sure their programs work efficiently. If you notice a sudden drop in performance during routine tasks or an increase in system crashes, you may have recently been infected with spyware.