Worried about spyware and malware sitting on your computer? Microsoft to the rescue! (okay, I had to play that line, but you’ll never hear it again. I mean, Microsoft to the rescue? How often does that happen?)

The program formerly known as Microsoft Anti-Spyware has now been renamed and re-released as Windows Defender Beta 2, now available for download from Microsoft:

[ Microsoft :: Windows Defender Beta 2 ]

Toss this in your anti-spyware toolkit. Microsoft boasts a redesigned interface, better real-time protection, simpler spyware alerts, and automatic cleaning of certain threats. It’s definitely worth a download, especially if you haven’t used it before. I don’t think it really replaces Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware or Spybot: Search and Destroy yet, but it’s definitely an effective addition to your spyware cleaning tools.

note: Thanks to the fine folks over at Lifehacker for spreading the good word and letting us know that the program was out! Credit goes to them for the fine image as well!