Viruses, malware and malicious software are an unpredictable lot that can strike when you least expect it, said Microsoft. The Redmond software giant has launched a beta for its new Windows Defender Offline - a tool the company believes will protect customers even when they aren't browsing the web.
"Windows Defender Offline Beta can help remove such hard to find malicious and potentially unwanted programs using definitions that recognize threats," announced the company's official Help and How-to guide for the tool. "Armed with definition files, Windows Defender Offline Beta can detect malicious and potentially unwanted software, and then notify you of the risks."
Microsoft added that users should always keep the software's definition list up-to-date. Otherwise, new malware could slip through. The company also believes the beta will prove useful against rootkits that "install themselves on your PC," but then "run at unexpected times."
Downloading the early version of Windows Defender Offline is a simple process, explained Microsoft. Testers must first download the beta. Then, create a CD, DVD or USB flash drive. After restarting their PCs with the newly created media, users can run a proper scan and remove whatever malware turns up.
Interested test subjects can find both the 32 and 64-bit beta versions of Windows Defender Offline here. Microsoft has also published an FAQ list about the new tool for those still having trouble getting the software up and running. (via Threat Post)
