AntiSpyware

[Lance]

Last year I purchased anti-spyware from Trend Micro which
at first did not want to work with Windows XP after I
installed SP 2. Trend Micro eventually got it squared
away.

In the meanwhile, I was able to take advantage of MSFT
free AntiSpyware Beta 1.

Trend Micro wants me to sign up for another year and I'm
wondering if its necessary. I assume I will eventually
have to pay for MSFT AntiSpyware, which I would prefer as
opposed to paying Trend Micro and then MSFT later. (I
prefer to stick with the MSFT AntiSpyware since I'm
running XP and the compatibility issue would be of no
concern)

I would be grateful for any opinions.

Thanks,
Lance

 

[Stu]

If cost is an issue my suggestion would be to stick it out
with MSAS for the following reasons:

1. If you are a Home User MS has indicated it will be free
to those people running genuine windows.
2. Once all the bugs and improvements have been
addressed/incorporated I personally feel it will a good
powerful antispyware programme.

On the down side is that it is likely to remain in beta
for many more months yet until the final product is
released sometime next year.In the meantime, can you
tolerate the glitches? Beta2 will be available later this
year and I am confident there will be big improvements and
the bugs fewer as the prog improves. If you decide to go
with MSAS you can always reinforce your spyware arsenal
with free progs such as Spybot S&D 1.4 and Adaware SE.
Both of which are well respect antispyware progs
(compatible with XP SP2),with regular definition upgrades -
particularly Adaware.

Hope this helps with your decision making.

Stu