Currently in beta for months, a new anti-spyware program will be available in future from Microsoft dubbed Windows Defender. A part of Windows Vista, Defender will help deflect rootkits, keystroke loggers and other forms of malware.
"We believe the Windows Defender name allows us to differentiate our functionality and is more suggestive of the protection offered to our customers against spyware and other potentially unwanted software," the spokesperson said. "It describes the functionality of our anti-spyware features in a more positive way."
Users of Windows XP will also be able to get the software via an update. Jason Garms, Microsoft group program manager, said that Defender would apply to spyware threats all the great detection technology currently being used in antivirus engines.