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Whilst I don’t really think that anti-virus or anti-spyware software is necessary if you are a more advanced computer user… I still have them both installed for peace of mind, well so you would think.

When Microsoft released their anti-spyware software, I installed it. It was recently upgraded and renamed Windows Defender. Thing is, I’m puzzled as to how it works.

Two examples…

Nearly everytime I start my computer, Windows Defender will pick up Desktop Earth. It says of the link C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersStart MenuProgramsStartupDesktopEarth AutoStart.lnk – “Auto Start change occurred”. I can select the action “Allow”. But, why is it asking me everytime? And even if I don’t select “Allow” right then and there, Desktop Earth is still updating my background – so why is this software not being stopped by Windows Defender?

Second example. Starting up the Windows Media stream of the BBC World Service (streaming link), Windows Defender detects three system configuration changes (UDP ports). But, it doesn’t stop them and the streaming audio works fine. They just sit in a list where I can choose to “Allow”.

So, maybe Windows Defender is considering the severity of these issues, and so allowing them for now. But, this is confusing – and I consider myself an advanced user; I used to work in IT and dealt with all sorts of firewall issues. How would your average-not-up-on-firewall-speak; not sure of good from bad computer user go? Windows Defender in the end seems pointless – it uses very technical jargon to convey issues and doesn’t even seem to block potential issues.

Anyone else using it? PS, I’m not looking for recommendations of better software – in some ways I don’t mind the incompetency of Windows Defender. I’m not forced to press Allow to get a service to work, like I had to with the Anti-Spyware beta.