Microsoft's requires to install ActiveX in order to verify Win legality

[Robert]

My objective is to boost my data security, which is the
reason why I want to install Microsoft's Anti Spyware.
Microsoft wants to verify my Windows legality before they
letting me install their Anti Spyware. Fair enough. My
only concern is that they want to do it by installing an
ActiveX on my machine. Can Microsoft guarantee that their
ActiveX will not end up compromising my security?

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Yes. The ActiveX control is digitally signed which assures you of it's
physical integrity, and source. It is also supported by Microsoft--i.e. if
you have a problem with it, you can get support with that issue--although
the precise mechanics of that are not immediately clear to me.....

If you want, I believe you can also pass the Genuine validation process
using FireFox or other alternative browsers. There's still a code download,
however--but I'm not sure whether the same ActiveX control is involved.

If you are sufficiently concerned about your security to wish to avoid this
control, might I suggest that installing an unsupported beta product may not
be the best choice?