Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware: MS Escalates the Fight Against Malware

Redmond Joins Fight Against Spyware

When it comes to fighting spyware, even Bill Gates would rather buy it than build it.

In December 2004 Microsoft purchased the anti-spyware technology created by GIANT Company Software, and by the first week in January it had released a beta version of Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware, well ahead of its expected 2006 delivery date.

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware

Microsoft's entry into the spyware arena comes not a moment too soon. A November 2004 study by research firm IDC estimates that 67 percent of consumer PCs are infected with some form of spyware. "Spyware" refers to any software that is covertly placed on a PC and that secretly gathers user information without the user's knowledge, typically for advertising purposes.

Beyond being a privacy threat, spyware can be a real nuisance, spawning pop-up windows not just when the user is online but even when the PC is not linked to the internet. A number of other notable players already have staked out their claims in the marketplace, including Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. As usual, Microsoft's entry into the arena ups the ante considerably.

The beta version of Microsoft's anti-spyware offering essentially repackages the same set of tools offered by GIANT, tools that already have proven their efficacy on this complicated battlefield. The beta works on Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003.

The beta program detects existing spyware through a rapid scan of a PC's files and memory. A scanning scheduler sets regular times for full scans, while an online spyware library contains information about the spyware that is detected. The anti-spyware program also keeps tabs on the impact of spyware, with reports that alert the user as to applications that are running, current Internet Explorer settings (which can be altered by spyware), and unwanted networking activity that may be linking the PC to unwanted internet destinations.

Technorati : Shield Deluxe 2009, Shield Deluxe 2009 Antivirus and Anti-Spyware

Installation of STOPzilla Anti-Spyware software was quick and easy.

I using STOPzilla Anti-Spyware. STOPzilla successfully scan my computer & removes and blocks Spyware, Adware, Pop-up ads, Phishing attacks, hijackers, rootkits, Trojans, bots, drive-by downloads, rogue programs, messenger service ads, keyloggers, malicious BHOs, dialers, and much more. Such, Best Anti-Spyware Software. STOPzilla's provide True Real-Time protection detects, blocks, and quarantines both known and potential Spyware infections before they can attack your system and do damage. STOPzilla's highly advanced Pop-up blocker intercepts and destroys all forms of Pop-up advertisements while allowing user-requested Pop-ups to display.

We really liked the fact that daily automatic updates ensure that users are protected from the latest threats without having to remember to update their software or take any additional steps. This anti-spyware software is practically effortless.




User Interface and Product Application:




Installation of STOPzilla Anti-Spyware software was quick and easy. In just a few minutes we had the spyware removal software up and running and protecting our PC. We found that the real-time protection keeps you safe from spyware attacks without any interruption of your computer activities and prevented pop-up ads from appearing on our desktop.




This spyware removal program seemed to do a very good job of blocking pop-ups and protecting us in real time from spyware threats, the scanning interface and antispyware functionality of STOPzilla Anti-Spyware was very easy to understand and navigate.


STOPzilla Features:

Detects, blocks and removes spyware.

Kills Adware.

Cookie and history cleaner.

Stops pop-up ads.

Stops browser hijackers.

Free Scan

Free technical support.

30-day money-back guarantee.

StopZilla has six primary areas that guide you through different areas of protection.

I've been using StopZilla for a few weeks and I've had no problems. It does miss the odd popup, even those in the blacklist, and some popups I cannot even put into the blacklist, but these are very few, only 5 in the past week.

This is a fine program, and it does it's job well, but you do have to pay almost $18 for it, which is a shame. I won't be paying for this software, I'm going to find another popup killer. I'm not complaining because I have to pay for software, but I am complaining that I have to pay for this specific software, when my favourite popup killer, called Popup Killer, was totally free, and far better and more intuitive and user friendly than StopZilla.

STOPzilla is loaded full of dozens of features that help to protect your computer from spyware and malware. StopZilla has six primary areas that guide you through different areas of protection. When I tested it against it against various spyware, it detected everything putting it right up there with the very best spyware blockers.

Home The Home page helps to protect your computer's privacy by erasing both history and cookies. This area of StopZilla is an easy to use interface that shows the current version and can be used to enable or disable items including getting the latest updates on definition files.

Scanner The scanner allows you to scan at different levels and shows the individual items that will be scanned. This also allows you to view the scan results and allows you to delete findings.

Active Enforcers Each of the following areas can be configured allowing the Browser, Network, System, Run Time and Auto Start to be configured and protected. This easy to use layout can be used by the most novice user and is thorough enough to cover every area needed to provide protection for your computer. By protecting the winsock, network and hosts files, this ensures that your network connection is not interrupted and your computer is still able to get on the internet.

Settings The settings area controls how your computer uses STOPzilla and how spyware will be handled.

Quarantine Area Spyware can be held in this area rendering it harmless to your computer. The default settings purges this quarantine after 30 days ensuring that the spyware is removed from your computer.

Pop-UP Protection STOPzilla's Pop-UP Protection stops pop-ups and controls javascript. This is particularly important for surfing the internet today to avoid being infected by this type of malicious activity.

SITEguard SITEguard is a database of malicious internet sites that are known to deliver spyware to countless visitors (Phishing sites). This protection protects your computer from going to these sites if you click a malicious link to one of these sites from your email client. Updates are available for this portion of StopZilla.

Scheduler and Tools STOPzilla's Scheduler and Tools allows for the scan and update schedules to be set to ensure your computer is fully protected. The Event Log and Diagnostic scan allows you to view what is happening with StopZilla and can send diagnostic information to the STOPzilla team for analysis.

What's New with STOPzilla Software?

STOPzilla offers customer support through an online database, email, online chat and phone support. Live chat and phone support were equally responsive and helpful; our inquiry was handled within a few minutes. We were surprised at how quickly they were able to expedite our questions. Our email request was answered within 1 hour of our sending it. The answer was comprehensive and informative and addressed our question thoroughly. Great job on customer support!

Navigating the Internet shouldn't have to feel like being thrown in the middle of some covert spy operation. Unfortunately, without the right antispyware software, that's exactly how STOPzilla can be. If you don't have effective spyware removal software running on your PC, every single thing you do online and all of the information on your computer is up for grabs. Account numbers, passwords, user names - all of it is at risk without the protection of good spyware removal software.




Because spyware removal is such an important issue, Star Reviews decided to compare antispyware software and,STOPzilla is one of the spyware removal products we tested. The findings of our research are detailed in the review below.

What's New with STOPzilla AntiSpyware Software?

STOPzilla has lowered their price to $9.95 a year

User Interface has been completely redesigned to display the software's major functionality from one Home console.

Vista Compatible.

New Scanner offers 4 types of high-speed scans to detect infections: Quick Scans, Full Scans, Intelligent Scans, and Custom Scans. Scans can be set to Automatic or on-demand.

STOPzilla won the CNET Editors' Choice award and Laptop Magazine Editors' Choice award for excellence.

We really liked the fact that daily automatic updates ensure that users are protected from the latest threats without having to remember to update their software or take any additional steps. This anti-spyware software is practically effortless.

This spyware removal program seemed to do a very good job of blocking pop-ups and protecting us in real time from spyware threats, the scanning interface and antispyware functionality of STOPzilla was very easy to understand and navigate.

STOPzilla is working to protect you from malicious programming！！！

STOPzilla's highly advanced Pop-up blocker intercepts and destroys all forms of Pop-up advertising but allows user-requested Pop-ups to display. STOPzilla's smart technology distinguishes legitimate Pop-ups (banking sites, e-mail, etc.) from unwanted, annoying ads. Basic Pop-up blockers do not block Pop-ups delivered by Spyware/Adware applications. STOPzilla's award-winning Pop-up blocking technology blocks both Web site-spawned Pop-ups and Pop-ups launched by Spyware/Adware applications.

STOPzilla's True Real-Time protection detects, blocks, and quarantines both known and potential Spyware infections before they can attack your system and do damage. Legitimate software programs are allowed to execute freely. From the moment you start your computer, STOPzilla is working to protect you from malicious programming, so your PC is never vulnerable.

STOPzilla's user interface is a convenient 'console' from which you can access all major settings, features, and tools. STOPzilla has been specifically designed to perform effectively regardless of the user's level of computer expertise. Use the default settings, or configure in detail the type of protection you wish. With STOPzilla, your time can be spent surfing the Web, not worrying about Spyware and Adware.

STOPzilla's Spyware/Adware research team sends out updates as often as every day to ensure that your PC security is never compromised and always protected against the latest threats. Any problem or question can be resolved free of charge by STOPzilla Customer Support. Support options include chat, e-mail, online Help and toll-free calls.

FEATURES:

Integrated SPYWARE Remover

Integrated ADWARE Remover

Integrated POP-UP Blocker

Integrated COOKIE Eraser

Integrated HISTORY Eraser

Integrated HIJACK Protection

STOPzilla Anti-Spyware provides total protection for the home, family or business PC.

STOPzilla has hailed as one of the best anti-spyware programmes. Download.com lab tested STOPzilla and it detected 100% of the spyware that was infected on the test computer. On demand and real time scanning makes this anti spyware programme a reliable and recommended utility tool in a competitive industry.

By successfully scanning, removing and blocking spyware, adware, annoying pop-ups, phishing attacks, hijackers, rootkits, trojans, bots, keyloggers, harmful BHOs and dialers STOPzilla Anti-Spyware provides total protection for the home, family or business PC.

After the free download and free scan STOPzilla gets to work in rooting out all the junk installed on the computer. A fast local hard drive scan is followed by further optional suggestions of clearing cookies and browser history and boasts to have world's best pop up blocker - which is ideal for families with kids that are all too keen to click and download everything they see on the internet!

Winkeeper scanning results with STOPzilla were 100% positive. All harmful files were rooted, detected, quarantined or deleted which was very impressive. This anti spyware/anti adware programme is very easy to install and use highlighted by a very clear and easy to follow control panel.

System requirements are very forgiving with even older versions of Microsoft Windows being catered for: Windows 98, Me, XP, 2000 or Vista 32bit all support STOPzilla making it one of the most accessible spyware removal tools on the market.

Another feather in the cap of iS3 (the manufacturer of STOPzilla) is the brilliant customer support. Not only do they provide email and free telephone support but also a live online chat facility where you can sort out any installation or usage problems. We also like the FAQ page where the top questions and answers are listed at the top of the web page. Well done STOPzilla Anti-Spyware!