Re: Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool


"Stephen Howe" <stephenPOINThoweATtns-globalPOINTcom> wrote in message
news:uW%23hilapGHA.3324@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

4. Is it the same thing as Windows Defender?

No. The MSRT resembles McAfee Stinger in that it scans only for a few dozen
of the most common viruses and malware that month. Like Stinger, it offers
no protection against re-infection, just detection and removal. Using that
analogy, Windows Defender more closely resembles the full McAfee antivirus
scanner.

5. Seems to me that there is an awful lot of unintentional mystery
surrounding Microsoft security tools and far too many of them. So far I
know
of :

Microsoft Base Line Security Analyser
Windows Defender (new Beta version & old Beta version)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
OneCare

Are any of the above the same thing as each other just with a rebadged
name?

They're all different, and there is information out there on them, for
example in Google. People are using them. Microsoft is actively developing
these products [some of which are brand new or in beta] at the same time, so
they're not slapping new labels on old products.

MBSA scans your system for missing Microsoft patches and some of the most
common security misconfigurations. It's free.
www.microsoft.com/mbsa

My understanding is OneCare is a managed service aimed at home users where
not just antivirus but firewall rules, database backups and performance
tuning. Since Microsoft is selling this, they're actively trying to inform
people about it, not keep it secret.
www.windowsonecare.com

Google and www.microsoft.com have more information.


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