Microsoft have released a public beta of their anti-spyware tool. I've tried it out and its quite good. However, the acid test is how well it performs on the family PC at home. I won't have a chance to test it until the weekend, but I hope it does the job because there is a definite need for it. I spend too much time sifting through various registry tree's trying to remove rogue explorer add-ins and what not.

I've read arguments either way regarding whether or not it will be a free product, but the authoritative answer from the bbc states:

Although initially free it is thought that soon Microsoft will be charging users for the anti-spyware tool.

In my opinion, the product will continue to be a free download, with Microsoft charging for a subscription service providing users with updates to keep them fully protected against new threats.

The product is a result of acquisitions made by Microsoft over the past 2 years, and hence is quite mature. However, it lacks the level of operating system integration you would expect from a Microsoft product, which would give the product a strong competitive advantage. Hello anti-trust lawyers.

Download Microsoft Anti-Spyware beta now

Microsoft's .NET Passport service has taken a heavy blow after eBay, its most visible adopter, has announced it is to drop support for Passport logins. This may well be the last nail in the coffin of Microsoft's Passport dream, and Microsoft is going to give up pushing for third party sites to use the service. However, they are not going to stop using it internally. It is an integral part of Microsoft's own internet strategy and MSN Messenger, Hotmail and MSN Spaces will continue to use it. Passport logins won't be going away, and as the Microsoft MSN brand continues to grow, so will services on our desktop that use Passport logins.  

MSNBC - Microsoft to curtail Passport service

eBay to Retire Microsoft Passport Sign In and .NET Alerts