Since many people are talking about how great MS AntiSpyware is I thought that even if it is a beta release I will try it.
Whenever I first try to use a new program such as anti-spyware or anti-virus I first look at the different kind of settings, the help file and then do a complete scan (obviously with new definition files. In this case I can’t get MSAS to connect to Internet, but first some other thoughts/questions).
Then if I decide that it’s a program to keep using, I look at the real-time protection to decide if it’s of any use. That is, I normally don’t activate real-time protection in the first place. Only in the case of anti-virus (some people even don’t do that, but anti-virus is not the issue for my post).
So after install of MS AntiSpyware, I looked at settings and turned of real-time protection and scan schedule. At some point late yesterday I thought I also saw some setting about load at start, but now I can’t find any such. I think it was the enable/disable Security Agents under Settings>Real-time protection.
Now I have MSAS at start and in the tray (notification area, whatever). Is there a setting inside the program that can stop start on boot? I found a setting that will hide icon in tray. Why should I have a process running if I have turned of real-time protection? The pop-up say “Microsoft AntiSpyware – Active”, oh how secure I’m feeling. A right click tells me security agents are disabled.
It shall be interesting to see the final product. It was a long time ago since I saw such a complete lack of consistent interface! If you look at first view “System summary” and under “Spyware scan” right side click “Scan options” you find scan settings, OK. Then top right an arrow and “Back to Spyware Summary” now you’re “back” but not from where you came, you’re viewing Spyware Scan (one of the three main views). If you then click “Scan Options” to the left you will not get the same view as previously etc. Scan result can be presented in many different ways etc. OK, it’s a beta release, sometimes they change a lot when final products ships, but sometimes they don’t.
As to updates, new definitions, I don’t now what to do. I disabled auto update, that’s all, to try manual at first. With a working connection to Internet I clicked File > Check for updates. Result: could not detect an Internet connection. Tried to add the program manually to ZoneAlarm Program Control, either the updater or the main program, it didn’t find any Internet connection. Either I am doing something wrong or the site isn’t up.
ZoneAlarm, some versions ago it would add almost every program running needed or not. Now that is not the case, only programs trying to connect to Internet, so it’s working OK with e-mail, anti-virus update, SpywareBlaster etc.
Regards,
Argus
