Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool

[Phisherman]

Is the Malicious Software Removal Tool really necessary if an
anti-virus is already installed on my PC? Why does Microsoft provide
this tool? I've already read

http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

which describes the use of this tool.

Is Microsoft saying that McAfee, Norton, or AVG are not good enough to
detect certain viruses?

 

[Plato]

Is the Malicious Software Removal Tool really necessary if an
anti-virus is already installed on my PC?

Perhaps. Does the malicious software removal tool remove viruses?

 

[Kate's bush]

Is the Malicious Software Removal Tool really necessary if an
anti-virus is already installed on my PC? Why does Microsoft provide
this tool? I've already read

http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

which describes the use of this tool.

Is Microsoft saying that McAfee, Norton, or AVG are not good enough to
detect certain viruses?

No, in fact the opposite is the case. The Malicious Software Removal Tool
only detects infections by specific, prevalent malicious software, including
Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom. To quote M$: "This tool is not a replacement
for an anti-virus product". It is the Malicious Software Removal Tool that
is not good enough to detect certain viruses. In view of the fact that M$
seems incapable of producing operating systems and office applications that
are free of bugs perhaps they should devote their resources to getting their
core products right and leave anti-virus software to specialist companies.