MS automatic update - malicious software removal tool?

[NewJeffCT]

Is this legit? I couldn't find it on the MS website?

[Liberal Veteran]

1. Right here.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en

[goclark]

2. I didn't get a notice to do it, is is hard to do?

[Liberal Veteran]

3. Not really....it's an automatic update.

I don't know much about it.

[goclark]

6. I check it out but I'm afraid to click the button : (

[NewJeffCT]

7. I was afraid as well

It did not look like a typical MS update, so I thought maybe it was somebody posing as MS.

[goclark]

8. Please some body help, my computer crashed last year and

I don't want to cry anymore.

[mike_c]

4. that one installed itself on my computer today...

...but in a really strange place. It installed on a D: partition in a folder it called "9279054ca82f58378523e7." Now am I missing something here-- is that supposed to mean something to me?

[goclark]

5. So what should I do?

I thought I did an automatic update yesterday.
I didn't notice if this was included. : (

[corksean]

9. Fred Langa reviewed this software and gives it the thumbs up

2) Microsoft's Free AntiSpyware Beta

A while back, Microsoft bought out the oddly-named "Giant" software company, Microsoft-ized Giant's shipping product--- an antispyware tool--- and re-released it as a beta (not quite finished) version of "Microsoft AntiSpyware," which is now available for free download. It runs on XP, Win2K, and Server2003, and actually seems pretty good.

The beta expires in July, and there's no word yet on whether or not MS will then start charging for the software. I suspect not: Even now, when you install the beta, a sniffer app checks to see if you have a legit copy of your OS, and refuses to install on pirated copies. My guess is that the Antispyware software will be offered as a "carrot" to entice users of pirated copies into getting a legit version of their OS; and secondarily as a reward to those who have legit copies.

Read more at:

http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-01-13.htm#2
(Click on No 2 in the contents)

I find his reviews excellent and not too "techie". Worth subscribing to his (free) newsletter.

[goclark]

10. That helps a lot, I'll do it today nt

[corksean]

11. My Pleasure

[goclark]

12. Did I complete it if I saw the list

of possible bad stuff and it said something like "no problems?"