Microsoft "Defender" Antispyware

Get Microsoft "Defender". It's free. It works. What's not to like. Get it.

This is "pro" level software. In other words, this is the level that you'd have to pay to get from Ad-Aware, Spybot and Webroot. These companies all have good products and worth the price, but their free "intro" versions don't match the features in either their own for-pay "pro" versions or those in the free "Defender". It's almost like an offer you can't refuse.

There's certainly no point in turning it down.

You can download "Defender" at www.Microsoft.com. Defender used to be called "Microsoft Antispyware". They bought from another company awhile back and have been beefing it up and making it more "microsoftish". It's very easy to install and use. Most of the options have been simplified -- to the point where some computer techs may want some put back in -- so that installation and setup is a snap. Defender doesn't get every malware threat and it is NOT a replacement for antivirus programs, but it excellent at the worst of the spyware / adware nuisances.

It will protect your browser settings and it will watch for malware plugin activity. When you add this to the antispyware protections that are now included in Norton and McAffee antivirus programs, you'll be safe from most of the malevolent stuff going around the 'net.

It's bad luck for Ad-Aware and Spybot that Microsoft has decided to step onto their field. But good luck for consumers -- so go for it.