[ale] Seeking ways to getting around spyware on Windows

[Jim Popovitch]

Jeff Hubbs wrote:
>>   1) Install Microsoft's AntiSpyware 
>>http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
>>      and SpyBot S&D (they compete AND complement each other).
>>      Set both up to auto run/update/etc.  Use them often.
>>
>>   2) Setup Windows Firewall to deny all, and check the "Don't
>>       allow exceptions" box.
>>
> 
> The engineer and greybeard in me chafes at this.  If I need to take a 
> measure to compensate for inherently defective software, why would I 
> seek a solution from the people who created the software and made it 
> defective in the first place? 

Because no one else will for fear if they do that MS will compete with 
them and run them out of business.  ;-)

> Are MS' AntiSpyware and Firewall software developed using the same 
> methodology, priorities, and internal oversight as the operating system? 

But of course.  Of course, if you look at the history of the WinNT (the 
predecessor to WinXP) dev team I think you will see quite a bit of 
development skills and methodologies, etc.  Just because they all work 
for the same company doesn't mean they all do bad work.  Even with 
Linux, you have to use a firewall or other means to control traffic and 
viruses.  Btw, would you trust Linus and only Linus to write your Linux 
AV and firewall?

-Jim P.