Microsoft scanning program, do I need this program??

Hello,
I got an e-mail from Microsoft with the following message:
Get a free safety scan for your computer
It's like taking your PC in for a tune-up and oil change at the service
station. Windows Live Safety Center is a free, Web-based service that gives
you quick, on-demand PC health and security scans. It also has
straightforward explanations about online threats and a vibrant online
community where you can get answers to questions about your PC.

I am using AVG free edition, free edition of Zone Alarm. I also run
Ad-Aware, Spybot, and Spyware Blaster once a week. . Do I also need the
program from Microsoft in addition to what I am using? Thank you in
advance for any comments.

Do you need it? Maybe not. (The application itself doesn't install, just
an ActiveX Control to run it online.)

Might you want to run the Full Service Scan at
http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm to see if the combination of
AVG, ZA, Ad-aware, Spybot and SpywareBlaster have been fully protecting you?
Why not?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Shell/User, Security), Aumha.org VSOP, DTS-L.org


Cindy wrote:
> Hello,
> I got an e-mail from Microsoft with the following message:
> Get a free safety scan for your computer
> It's like taking your PC in for a tune-up and oil change at the service
> station. Windows Live Safety Center is a free, Web-based service that
> gives you quick, on-demand PC health and security scans. It also has
> straightforward explanations about online threats and a vibrant online
> community where you can get answers to questions about your PC.
>
> I am using AVG free edition, free edition of Zone Alarm. I also run
> Ad-Aware, Spybot, and Spyware Blaster once a week. . Do I also need
> the program from Microsoft in addition to what I am using? Thank you in
> advance for any comments.

Thank you PA Bear, I ran the program you suggested and I am fine...much
appreciated

"PA Bear" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:Og75i1lCGHA.1288@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Do you need it? Maybe not. (The application itself doesn't install, just
> an ActiveX Control to run it online.)
>
> Might you want to run the Full Service Scan at
> http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm to see if the combination of
> AVG, ZA, Ad-aware, Spybot and SpywareBlaster have been fully protecting
> you? Why not?
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Shell/User, Security), Aumha.org VSOP, DTS-L.org
>
>
> Cindy wrote:
>> Hello,
>> I got an e-mail from Microsoft with the following message:
>> Get a free safety scan for your computer
>> It's like taking your PC in for a tune-up and oil change at the service
>> station. Windows Live Safety Center is a free, Web-based service that
>> gives you quick, on-demand PC health and security scans. It also has
>> straightforward explanations about online threats and a vibrant online
>> community where you can get answers to questions about your PC.
>>
>> I am using AVG free edition, free edition of Zone Alarm. I also
>> run
>> Ad-Aware, Spybot, and Spyware Blaster once a week. . Do I also need
>> the program from Microsoft in addition to what I am using? Thank you
>> in
>> advance for any comments.
>

YW & thanks for posting back!

Cindy wrote:
> Thank you PA Bear, I ran the program you suggested and I am fine...much
> appreciated
>
> "PA Bear" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:Og75i1lCGHA.1288@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > Do you need it? Maybe not. (The application itself doesn't install,
> > just an ActiveX Control to run it online.)
> >
> > Might you want to run the Full Service Scan at
> > http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm to see if the combination
> > of AVG, ZA, Ad-aware, Spybot and SpywareBlaster have been fully
> > protecting you? Why not?
> > --
> > ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> > MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Shell/User, Security), Aumha.org VSOP, DTS-L.org
> >
> >
> > Cindy wrote:
> > > Hello,
> > > I got an e-mail from Microsoft with the following message:
> > > Get a free safety scan for your computer
> > > It's like taking your PC in for a tune-up and oil change at the
> > > service station. Windows Live Safety Center is a free, Web-based
> > > service that gives you quick, on-demand PC health and security scans.
> > > It also has straightforward explanations about online threats and a
> > > vibrant online community where you can get answers to questions about
> > > your PC. I am using AVG free edition, free edition of Zone Alarm.
> > > I also
> > > run
> > > Ad-Aware, Spybot, and Spyware Blaster once a week. . Do I also
> > > need the program from Microsoft in addition to what I am using?
> > > Thank you in
> > > advance for any comments.

[This followup was posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers and
a copy was sent to the cited author.]

Mon, 26 Dec 2005 14:34:05 -0600 from Cindy <cinb@cox.net>:
> I got an e-mail from Microsoft with the following message:
> Get a free safety scan for your computer

No you didn't; you got a spam mail. Microsoft doesn't send
unsolicited mail with updates for software. This mail is either
trying to get you to buy some third-party product, or (much worse) is
trying to get you to install a virus or other malware on your
computer.

Meaning no disrespect, for your own safety you need to be more
sophisticated about e-mail. Many mails are not from the stated
sender. and they prey on gullible people. NEVER respond to
unsolicited mail; NEVER click on links in unsolicited mail.

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com/
"Do I smell the revolting stench of self-esteem?"
-- Jon Lovitz, in /The Producers/ (2005)

Stan Brown wrote:

> [This followup was posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers and
> a copy was sent to the cited author.]
>
> Mon, 26 Dec 2005 14:34:05 -0600 from Cindy <cinb@cox.net>:
>> I got an e-mail from Microsoft with the following message:
>> Get a free safety scan for your computer
>
> No you didn't; you got a spam mail. Microsoft doesn't send
> unsolicited mail with updates for software.


Actually, no he didn't. Although what you say was my first reaction too,
when I read more closely I realized that Microsoft was advising him of a web
site where he can get the free scan. And this web site is a legitimate
Microsoft site.


> This mail is either
> trying to get you to buy some third-party product, or (much worse) is
> trying to get you to install a virus or other malware on your
> computer.


Nope. Not in this case.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup


> Meaning no disrespect, for your own safety you need to be more
> sophisticated about e-mail. Many mails are not from the stated
> sender. and they prey on gullible people. NEVER respond to
> unsolicited mail; NEVER click on links in unsolicited mail.

In MPG.1e1b0d282b06c217989da8@news.individual.net Stan Brown
wrote:
> [This followup was posted to
> microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers and a copy was sent to
> the cited author.]
>
> Mon, 26 Dec 2005 14:34:05 -0600 from Cindy <cinb@cox.net>:
>> I got an e-mail from Microsoft with the following
>> message: Get a free safety scan for your computer
>
> No you didn't; you got a spam mail. Microsoft doesn't send
> unsolicited mail with updates for software. This mail is
> either trying to get you to buy some third-party product, or
> (much worse) is trying to get you to install a virus or
> other malware on your computer.
>
> Meaning no disrespect, for your own safety you need to be
> more sophisticated about e-mail. Many mails are not from the
> stated sender. and they prey on gullible people. NEVER
> respond to unsolicited mail; NEVER click on links in
> unsolicited mail.
>
> --
> Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
> http://OakRoadSystems.com/
> "Do I smell the revolting stench of self-esteem?"
> -- Jon Lovitz, in /The Producers/ (2005)

While your advice concerning unsolicited email is right on the
mark, it's more likely that the OP subscribes to this
newsletter.

Security Newsletter for Home Users
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...ty_05_1213.htm

Nepatsfan

Hello Stan,
I thank you for your concern and the warning. You may have already seen
the 2 posts commending on the Microsoft site.
Volume 44

December 13, 2005

Volume 2, No. 11

December 13, 2Welcome to the Microsoft Security Newsletter
for Home Users--a monthly newsletter bringing security news, guidance,
updates, and community resources directly to your Inbox. Subscribe to the
newsletter here.


005




I agree with you....there is so much scamming on the net, one
wonders what if is safe to use recommendations that are sometimes sent.
That is why I posted the question about using the scan. Thanks again to
everyone for the comments, it is sure great to know there are people on this
web site who will take the time to help others.
Cindy


"Stan Brown" <the_stan_brown@fastmail.fm> wrote in message
news:MPG.1e1b0d282b06c217989da8@news.individual.ne t...
> [This followup was posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers and
> a copy was sent to the cited author.]
>
> Mon, 26 Dec 2005 14:34:05 -0600 from Cindy <cinb@cox.net>:
>> I got an e-mail from Microsoft with the following message:
>> Get a free safety scan for your computer
>
> No you didn't; you got a spam mail. Microsoft doesn't send
> unsolicited mail with updates for software. This mail is either
> trying to get you to buy some third-party product, or (much worse) is
> trying to get you to install a virus or other malware on your
> computer.
>
> Meaning no disrespect, for your own safety you need to be more
> sophisticated about e-mail. Many mails are not from the stated
> sender. and they prey on gullible people. NEVER respond to
> unsolicited mail; NEVER click on links in unsolicited mail.
>
> --
> Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
> http://OakRoadSystems.com/
> "Do I smell the revolting stench of self-esteem?"
> -- Jon Lovitz, in /The Producers/ (2005)

Tue, 27 Dec 2005 08:35:27 -0500 from Stan Brown
<the_stan_brown@fastmail.fm>:
> Mon, 26 Dec 2005 14:34:05 -0600 from Cindy <cinb@cox.net>:
> > I got an e-mail from Microsoft with the following message:
> > Get a free safety scan for your computer
>
> No you didn't; you got a spam mail.

Thanks to both Ken Blake and Nepatsfan for your corrections. While we
all agree that it's right to be suspicious of the From address on
unsolicited e-mail, apparently the one the OP received was
legitimate.

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com/
"Do I smell the revolting stench of self-esteem?"
-- Jon Lovitz, in /The Producers/ (2005)

Stan Brown wrote:

> Tue, 27 Dec 2005 08:35:27 -0500 from Stan Brown
> <the_stan_brown@fastmail.fm>:
>> Mon, 26 Dec 2005 14:34:05 -0600 from Cindy <cinb@cox.net>:
>>> I got an e-mail from Microsoft with the following message:
>>> Get a free safety scan for your computer
>>
>> No you didn't; you got a spam mail.
>
> Thanks to both Ken Blake and Nepatsfan for your corrections.


You're welcome, Stan. Glad to help.


> While we
> all agree that it's right to be suspicious of the From address on
> unsolicited e-mail,


Absolutely!

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup


> apparently the one the OP received was
> legitimate.