Last week Microsoft launched the first public beta release of Windows AntiSpyware, Microsoft's solution to the spyware problem. And tomorrow, January 11th, Microsoft has scheduled the release of a virus detection and removal tool, codename TITAN. [Via Bink.nu]
According to this MS Press Release that announced the Malicious Software Removal Tool (and the MS Anti-Spyware Beta), the Malicious Software Removal Tool will be free, updated monthly (though hopefully more frequently if needed), and released to Windows Update and the MS Download center.
More information can be found here on Jerry Bryant's Security blog.
Once both tools are available Microsoft can start to field its A1 anti-spyware/anti-virus bundle in the form of a renewable subscription service, the same way a number of other security vendors do. The service will allow users to keep current on the code needed to combat ever-changing viruses, worms, spybots and the like. [Via Microsoft Watch]
Flexbeta published a comparison of MS AntiSpyware vs Ad-Aware vs SpyBot. Read the conclusion here!