Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

Microsoft has released a Windows “Update” that is designed to remove software from your computer:

After the download, this tool runs once to check your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove any infection found. If an infection is found, the tool will display a status report the next time you start your computer. A new version of the tool will be offered every month. If you want to manually run the tool on your computer, you can download a copy from the Microsoft Download Center or run an online version from microsoft.com. This tool is not a replacement for an anti-virus product. To help protect your computer, you should use an anti-virus product.

I see their intent behind this, but I still find it disturbing. Although some users don’t know how to determine what software is on their computer, I have no need for this tool. And yet it was still downloaded automatically and is considered a Critical “Update.”

Sept 16, 2005 Update Looks like Microsoft has created a new version of this tool.

Size: 400 KB

After the download, this tool runs once to check your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove any infection found. If an infection is found, the tool will display a status report the next time you start your computer. A new version of the tool will be offered every month. If you want to manually run the tool on your computer, you can download a copy from the Microsoft Download Center or run an online version from microsoft.com. This tool is not a replacement for an anti-virus product. To help protect your computer, you should use an anti-virus product.

More information for this update can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/malwareremove

26 Responses to “Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool”

  1. RC says:

    One way to stop this being installed. Look for the copy of mrt.exe in the system32 folder. Adjust the permissions to deny access to read, execute, etc by everyone, especially system. When Microsoft tries to download and overwrite the old mrt program and run it then it should be unable to do so.

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