Windows 10: Windows Defender to protect against apps that show coercive messages

Source: Protecting customers from being intimidated into making an unnecessary purchase Microsoft Secure

:)

 

Change in Windows Defender?

See also:

"Yesterday the 26th still had the same "Windows Defender took action against malicious software" message.

Today the 27th both auto and manual scans only show "No threats found". That's as it should be.

Looks like MS may have fixed the problem (finally)." [Howard Moore]

Daily message that "Windows Defender took action against malicious software" Nothing in WD history or logs.

 

Windows Defender vs Norton 360

Norton 360 includes a back-up facility. Windows 10 provides a back-up facility although it isn't part of Defender.

Norton 360 includes a firewall. Windows 10 provides a firewall although it isn't part of Defender.

Norton 360 includes protection against malware. Defender provides protection against malware.

 

Microsoft Drops the Hammer on Coercive Registry Cleaners & System Optimizers

Starting March 1st 2018, Windows Defender and other Microsoft products will begin to remove programs that display coercive behavior designed to pressure a user into purchasing their software. This includes registry cleaners and system optimizers that offer free scans, detect issues with alarming messages, and then require the user to purchase the product before fixing anything.




Source: [link]

 

oi Sean! I checked for existing articles too!

 

Then all software that is not from The Store *Wink

 

Not even close. Read the statement. Your statement is a fantasy away from what it says.

 

They should look to their own outlook.com and Skype apps then. Always bugging me to buy Office 365 subscription or spend money on some idiot sport betting site.

It is not a bad idea but one persons idea of "coercive" is another persons idea of "advertisement".

I find outlook.com adverts only mildly irritating but the ones on Skype are pretty coercive frankly. Especially if you have a gambling problem which they clearly think I have (it is all I see anyway for some reason).

If they are not designed to "put pressure on customers into making a purchase or performing other actions" then what are they for? Decoration?

 

You read it. I do not need MS deciding what I install on My PC.

 

Aren't those cookie ads? That's not really what this is about. This is about free software that's trying to lure you into a premium by telling you lies or misleading information about your computer. I doubt Microsoft will try to tell you that your computer is about to die if you don't buy Office 365.

 

The majority of freeware does this. I do not need a watchdog, MS seems to think that their user base is full of users that for lack of a better word- "Can't Read"

 

Which is probably the truth. Though freewares doesn't need to lie or spread misinformation to gain monetary access in my opinion.

 

No they do not but Microsoft has enough access to your PC, they do not need more.

 

Agreed. *Smile

It's also "a bit rich" for a company that removes features from it cheaper OS versions to "encourage" you to upgrade to a more expensive version (e.g. W10 Pro to W10 Workstation W10 Enterprise)

 

I like the idea. Putting a halt to scareware is always good news. As for people saying this is MS spying on you, I partly disagree (not about the part about MS spying on you), but on the part about 99% of these "software" gets installed without user consent either because, yes, most non-knowledgeable users are happy clickers (next, next, next) or the software gets installed inadvertently. And I am pretty sure most of the software isn't useful at all anyway (not even the paid versions) and most of the time is a backdoor to further issues.