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  • Thread starter Thread starter lucylou
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lucylou

I've just had to reformat my hard drive and am starting
over with everything. Microsoft Anti Virus was suggested
to me instead of Norton Anti Virus this time around so I
am giving it a try. Of course it was suggested that I
download the antispyware program first. However, I cannot
seem to even find it on my hard drive to install. I did
choose to "save" instead of run. Any suggestions? After
reading some of the messages here I am concerned to even
continue. Thanks for any help. Lucylou
 
You were given poor advice.

Microsoft does not (at this writing) produce a broadly protective antivirus
application.

They do release, on a monthly basis, the Malicious Software Removal Tool,
which is distributed via Windows Update and Auto Update, and which runs and
exits leaving behind only a log file (\%windir%\debug\mrt.log) if the
machine is not infected with one of the 8 or so bugs covered by the monthly
release. I've never seen what happens on an infected machine, but I believe
there is some more visible interaction.

The best advice in your situation would be to follow the three-step program
at:

http://www.microsoft.com/protect

Note that none of these steps need cost $ out of pocket--in the antivirus
area--there are several extended trial versions offered--one of 12 months,
and another of 6. Additionally, there are two or three vendors offering
free antivirus protection for individuals personal machines. One such
vendor is AVG/GRISOFT:

(Information)
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/40/lng/us/tpl/tpl01

(download location)
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php

After you have taken care of ALL THREE of the items at the first link I gave
you (/protect)--then you can consider adding Antispyware protection--which
is what these groups are about.

http://www.microsoft.com/spyware/software

has a link to the beta product we support. Spyware is software which may be
loaded on your machine without your clear consent, and which targets you
with ads of various kinds, sometimes without a browser being open, even.
There's some overlap between viruses and spyware, and the spyware category
includes some very nasty threats indeed--keyloggers--which aren't
necessarily covered by other scanners. So Microsoft Antispyware is a
significant addition to the three basic protective pieces, but it doesn't
substitute for them in any way.
 
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