Microsoft's AntiSpyware Tool can remove Internet Explorer - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

bendsley · 01-19-2005, 09:41 AM

First of all, this is funny as hell. I've been waiting forever to get rid of IE and now MS is finally doing it for me.

Second, the Spyware Removal Tool doesn't affect everyone, but enough people I guess for news sites to start reporting it.

Quote:

Many Microsoft Windows users who downloaded the recently released AntiSpyware program from Microsoft, or had it installed through an automatic Windows update, woke up to a surprise. Unintentionally, the heuristics of the software detected Internet Explorer as spyware, and removed the program from their systems.

AntiSpywareMicrosoft has pulled the program from its website until the problem can be corrected. Elias Weatherbee, a Microsoft representative, said the program was "only in beta" and that "a fix was forthcoming."

"It shows how powerful our AntiSpyware program is," said Weatherbee. "Not only is it able to remove spyware from the system, but also the source of most spyware. Our competitors can't match that."

A representative from Lavasoft, which sells Ad-Aware another spyware removal program, complained that Microsoft was using its monopoly and knowledge of the operating system to "offer features that others can't match."

"Tough shit," said Weatherbee.

Many computer users did not view this new "feature" positively. "I tried to check the weather this morning and all my little blue "e" icons were missing. I couldn't get to the Internet at all. I guess I'll have to get a new computer," said Windows XP user Graham Newton.

Users of alternative browsers were happy to see Internet Explorer gone. Thad Freeman of the Mozilla Users Group said, "I've been trying for years to get rid of Internet Explorer. I never imagined that Microsoft would do it for me. I'm ecstatic."

Microsoft technical support was advising customers to reinstall Windows to regain Internet access and to disable automatic updates.

Symantec Antivirus Research reported that virus sightings were down by 95% this morning.

For those of you that have had this happen to you, you only need to reinstall Windows if you want Internet Explorer back. This is not the only browser available.

There are many alternatives: Mozilla, Firefox, Opera just to name a few.

(satire)

Glory's Sun · 01-19-2005, 10:15 AM

"It shows how powerful our AntiSpyware program is," said Weatherbee. "Not only is it able to remove spyware from the system, but also the source of most spyware. Our competitors can't match that."

ok I couldn't help but laugh at that. Is he blatantly admitting that IE is the reason so much spyware is downloaded? I'll just stick to spysweeper and Firefox and laugh at microshit.

Redlemon · 01-19-2005, 10:16 AM

Funny. False, I'm sure, but funny nonetheless.

Charlatan · 01-19-2005, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

Funny. False, I'm sure, but funny nonetheless.

Perhaps this was the clue that it was false...

Quote:

"Tough shit," said Weatherbee.

Microsoft spokespeople always say "Tough shit..."

silent_jay · 01-19-2005, 10:31 AM

I was thinking the same thing, a believable story until the "tough shit" comment.

Coppertop · 01-19-2005, 10:50 AM

Yeah, I call bullshit. No source was given.

tooth · 01-19-2005, 10:58 AM

Source
http://www.bbspot.com/News/2005/01/m...tispyware.html

Yeah its a joke. How could you tell?

Halx · 01-19-2005, 12:13 PM

Nice satire. It's just subtle enough to fool a casual reader. The spot where it got me suspicious was the "Tough shit" .. until then, I was totally prepared to believe it.

ShaniFaye · 01-19-2005, 12:19 PM

is this written by the same people that did the google/MLK article?

Glory's Sun · 01-19-2005, 12:27 PM

well goddamn.. I didn't even catch the "tough shit" comment.. I read it but it didn't register.. geez..

bendsley · 01-19-2005, 12:53 PM

Yeah, I love the BBSpot stories. Usually a good laugh, though maybe I should have put this in the Tilted Humor section.

vox_rox · 01-19-2005, 01:19 PM

Very clever, and well written. I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me.

But really, Some of the quotes out of that article are perfect.

It was only in beta --- yeah, like most MS products

the source of most adware --- like Outlook is the source of most worms?

Hilarious.

Reminds me of a .sig file I saw once, might even have been here I can't remember. It said:
If you play a microsoft CD-ROM backwards, you can hear the devil, but if you play if foward it's worse, it installs Windows on your computer.

When you're microsoft, I guess that makes you just a huge target. I laugh everytime I launch Firefox on my Ubuntu computer!

Peace,

Pierre

Slavakion · 01-19-2005, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vox_rox

But really, Some of the quotes out of that article are perfect.

"Symantec Antivirus Research reported that virus sightings were down by 95% this morning."

01-19-2005, 10:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Funny. False, I'm sure, but funny nonetheless. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

01-19-2005, 10:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	I was thinking the same thing, a believable story until the "tough shit" comment. __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

01-19-2005, 12:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	Nice satire. It's just subtle enough to fool a casual reader. The spot where it got me suspicious was the "Tough shit" .. until then, I was totally prepared to believe it. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

01-19-2005, 12:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	is this written by the same people that did the google/MLK article? __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

01-19-2005, 12:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
bendsley Professional Loafer Location: texas	Yeah, I love the BBSpot stories. Usually a good laugh, though maybe I should have put this in the Tilted Humor section. __________________ "You hear the one about the fella who died, went to the pearly gates? St. Peter let him in. Sees a guy in a suit making a closing argument. Says, "Who's that?" St. Peter says, "Oh, that's God. Thinks he's Denny Crane."

01-19-2005, 10:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	"It shows how powerful our AntiSpyware program is," said Weatherbee. "Not only is it able to remove spyware from the system, but also the source of most spyware. Our competitors can't match that." ok I couldn't help but laugh at that. Is he blatantly admitting that IE is the reason so much spyware is downloaded? I'll just stick to spysweeper and Firefox and laugh at microshit.

01-19-2005, 10:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Coppertop Getting Medieval on your ass Location: 13th century Europe	Yeah, I call bullshit. No source was given.

01-19-2005, 10:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
tooth Addict	Source http://www.bbspot.com/News/2005/01/m...tispyware.html Yeah its a joke. How could you tell?

01-19-2005, 12:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	well goddamn.. I didn't even catch the "tough shit" comment.. I read it but it didn't register.. geez..

01-19-2005, 01:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
vox_rox Psycho Location: Comfy Little Bungalow	Very clever, and well written. I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me. But really, Some of the quotes out of that article are perfect. It was only in beta --- yeah, like most MS products the source of most adware --- like Outlook is the source of most worms? Hilarious. Reminds me of a .sig file I saw once, might even have been here I can't remember. It said: If you play a microsoft CD-ROM backwards, you can hear the devil, but if you play if foward it's worse, it installs Windows on your computer. When you're microsoft, I guess that makes you just a huge target. I laugh everytime I launch Firefox on my Ubuntu computer! Peace, Pierre __________________ --- There is no such thing as strong coffee - only weak people. ---