Each of those programs needs to be updated frequently to remain effective. Those updates usually aren't free, so it is worth noting when a company like Microsoft offers a free option like Windows Defender.

Microsoft's Windows Defender Beta 2 is a solid antispyware solution being offered to Windows users at no cost. Defender is the latest version of an antispyware program that's been widely used and distributed, initially as Giant Antispyware, a product acquired and updated by Microsoft, and subsequently released as Microsoft Antispyware Beta.

It seems likely that Windows Defender will continue to evolve and keep the "beta" tag until Microsoft releases the next version of its Windows operating system , Vista.

Look and Feel

Windows Defender can only be downloaded from Microsoft's Web site, and you'll need to jump through a few hoops to get it. Only Internet Explorer users will be able to download Defender, and Microsoft requires an initial download of an Internet Explorer plug-in to confirm that you are using a legitimate version of Windows. A few PC owners have reported problems passing this authentication check, but we didn't have any difficulties installing Defender on a laptop and desktop PC.

Previous users of Microsoft Antispyware might be a bit unnerved after upgrading to Defender. By default, there's no longer an icon displayed in your system tray indicating Defender is on the job. Its absence is part of Microsoft's effort to make antispyware protection more transparent and less bothersome. Disappearing icons aside, the Beta 2 version is a clean, intuitive, unobtrusive package that most users should like.

Defender now runs as a service rather than an application, although it has an interface that makes it feel like an application. This interface allows you to see the PC's current security status, start scans manually, see recent actions, and review or adjust options and settings.

Spyware definition updates are now handled by the Windows Automatic Update process, another indication that Defender is being integrated into the operating system. If you've seen pictures of the new Vista OS, you'll notice Defender has the same type of controls. The standard menu bar is gone, replaced by back and forward buttons, along with buttons to call up Defender's features. (continued...)

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