Vista - Why isn't anti-malware included

Why isn't anti-malware included with an Operating System?

Windows defender is included with Vista - available as a free dpwnload for
XP.

"b11_" <b11@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:7B4EF12A-A11A-4146-93F1-C0D6C6DF04CD@xxxxxx

On Wed, 21 May 2008 17:22:06 -0700, b11_
<b11@xxxxxx> wrote:
So that pain-in-the-ass folks will have at least one question to ask
when they can't think of anything else.

b11_ wrote:
By operating system, I'm assuming since you are posting in the a MS
Vista newsgroup you are referring to the Vista operating system:

Go here for more info on Windows Defender for Vista:


http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...48a151033.mspx


May or may not be included with your OS depending on what your vendor
setup on your system. Check with your vendor.

On Wed, 21 May 2008 17:22:06 -0700, b11_ wrote:
A clarification on the terminology: the word "malware" is short for
"malicious software." Most Anti-Virus applications detect many types of
malware such as viruses, worms, trojans, etc.
What AV applications usually don't detect is "non-viral" malware, and the
term "non-viral malware" is normally used to refer to things like spyware
and adware.

A-S applications - for non-viral malware.
The effectiveness of an individual A-S scanners can be wide-ranging and
oftentimes a collection of scanners is best. There isn't one software that
cleans and immunizes you against everything. That's why you need multiple
products to do the job i.e. overlap their coverage - one may catch what
another may miss, (grab'em all).

SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/supe...freevspro.html
and
Ad-Aware 2007 - Free
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html
and
Spybot Search & Destroy - Free
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
and
Windows Defender - Free (build-in in Vista)
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx
WD monitors the start-registry and hooks registers/files to prevent spyware
and worms to install to the OS.
Interesting reading:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136195/article.html
"...Windows Defender did excel in behavior-based protection, which detects
changes to key areas of the system without having to know anything about
the actual threat."

There are many good free AV applications available, and almost everyone has
his favorite. Most of the users are emotionally attached to their av
application and will have excellent reasons for not recommending any other
brand.
The most important thing here is that all of the available choices listed
here are better in some respects than in others, and which choice is better
for *you* depends on what you do, how you work, and which features you use.
The way you use your PC is different from others.
Have a look at this:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
and be guided accordingly.
Good info can be obtained here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/page.php?id=20
and here:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/

If the above is too deluging consider this:-
Real-time AV applications - for viral malware.
Do not utilize more than one (1) real-time anti-virus scanning engine!
Disable the e-mail scanning function during installation (Custom
Installation on some AV apps.) as it provides no additional protection.

Why You Don't Need Your Anti-Virus Program to Scan Your E-Mail
http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tuto...ning/index.htm
Viral Irony: The Most Common Cause of Corruption.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/...orruption.mspx

Avira AntiVir® Personal - FREE Antivirus
http://www.free-av.com/
You may wish to consider removing the 'AntiVir Nagscreen'
http://www.elitekiller.com/files/dis...ntivir_nag.htm
or
Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition
It includes ANTI-SPYWARE protection, certified by the West Coast Labs
Checkmark process, and ANTI-ROOTKIT DETECTION based on the best-in class
GMER technology.
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
(Choose Custom Installation and under Resident
Protection, uncheck: Internet Mail and Outlook/Exchange.)
or
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
http://free.grisoft.com/
(Choose custom install and untick the email scanner plugin.)
or
Kaspersky® Anti-Virus 7.0 - Not Free
http://www.kaspersky.com/homeuser
or
ESET NOD32 Antivirus - Not Free
http://www.eset.com/

and (optional)

On-demand AV applications.
(add them to your arsenal and use them as a "second opinion" av scanner).
David H. Lipman's MULTI_AV Tool
http://www.pctipp.ch/ds/28400/28470/Multi_AV.exe
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp
English:
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/...irus-for-free/
Additional Instructions:
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm

"b11_" <b11@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:7B4EF12A-A11A-4146-93F1-C0D6C6DF04CD@xxxxxx
Vista comes with anti-spyware type software - Windows Defender - which helps
protect against identity theft etc. - but not with anti-virus type software.
However there are several high quality free suites available e.g. Grisoft
AVG, Avast!, ClamWin which are top-notch and provide anti-virus protection.

It may be that Microsoft doesn't include any anti-virus because 1. these
other companies create good software and there's no need to have a built in
one 2. concerns about anti-trust i.e. bundling too much with the OS might
put other companies out of business; so to respect the law Microsoft might
be avoiding putting anti-virus in .. anyway .. I am not a lawyer.

Saucy