Anti-Spyware software flaws?

[anthonycea]

Can someone explain why a PC has a registry and what it is used for and why MAC's do not have a registry?

It this part of the reason that spyware is installed so easy on Windows?

This article says that even the best anti-spyware software is missing many malware downloads.

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1731474,00.asp

What a great business Microsoft has developed for the AV/anti-spyware-malware vendors.

[dazzlindonna]

I'm no expert, but here's my thoughts on it anyway. The windows registry is basically a place to store diferent pieces of information about a program. (that's a very basic explanation, but it'll do). It does make it harder for antispyware programs to find spyware on Windows, but exactly why, I don't know. Still, spyware didn't exist when the registry was created, so I don't think you can blame MS for not antipicating such a thing. At the time, it was a good idea for keeping track of info needed by a program. Whether or not it still is....I'm not sure.

[mushroom]

It this part of the reason that spyware is installed so easy on Windows?

This article says that even the best anti-spyware software is missing many malware downloads.

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1731474,00.asp

What a great business Microsoft has developed for the AV/anti-spyware-malware vendors.
Windows was built for ease of use, not security.
That "ease" is what the makes Windows such an easy target.

It lookes like those AV/anti-spyware-malware vendors are just being over worked and are falling way behind and they have to see it before they can even start to find a way to stop it.
More from e-week: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1731387,00.asp
Cyber-crime is running amok.

Hackers are continuously finding new ways to break into corporate networks and steal proprietary and sensitive data. Virus writers are elevating their technology prowess, creating new worms and bugs that can sneak onto your desktop or through a network firewall and wreak havoc on your IT infrastructure.

[anthonycea]

It is sad when it is so easy for the Russian Mafia to use the PC's of the world to commit crimes, talk about network computing at it's finest.

Just think, they have zombie computers on broadband doing all the work for them, no investment in hardware and they can not be traced.

This is the perfect crime and having Microsoft as a partner is even better for them.