bits and bytes : Spyware

DirectRevenue-Best Offers, shuts down

tashi — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:25:00 GMT

Posted on DirectRevenue's home page and giving no reason for the sudden closure. "Best Offers and Direct Revenue have ceased operations. To service legacy consumers we are maintaining this page of uninstall instructions, an uninstall software...(read more)

VirusRay, latest Zlob rogue anti-spyware program

tashi — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:53:00 GMT

The Zlob Trojan Downloader typically poses as audio or video codecs, required to be installed on your computer so you can watch or listen to certain media. VirusRay is just the latest infection that downloads and installs rogue anti-spyware programs and...(read more)

Zango's tango

tashi — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 17:40:00 GMT

Technology & Marketing Law Blog: Zango’s Busy Litigation Docket PC Tools & Kaspersky Responses to Zango Lawsuit Zango Also Loses Kaspersky TRO Motion Sunbelt Blog: Zango TRO against PC Tools denied Vitalsecurity: Rogue Security Applications Being...(read more)

House Passes another Spyware Bill

tashi — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 17:15:00 GMT

The House passed a cyber-security bill that would allow for civil penalties of up to $3,000,000. H.R. 964: Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act or Spy Act. The bill, introduced by Rep. Adolphus Towns (D-New York), to protect users of the...(read more)

Spyware vendors trying to clean up image…

tashi — Tue, 22 May 2007 06:33:00 GMT

Ben Edelman writes: Spyware Still Cheating Merchants and Legitimate Affiliates "Spyware vendors are trying to clean up their images. For example, Zango settled a FTC investigation, then last week sued PC Tools for detecting and removing Zango software...(read more)

CDT and StopBadware file complaint with FTC against rogue site

tashi — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 17:52:00 GMT

Virus Bulletin reports : "The Argentina-based, English-language site FastMP3Search.com.ar promotes itself as a rapid MP3 search service and requires the installation of a 'plugin' to enable searching of its content. According to StopBadware...(read more)

Bad Practices Continue at Zango

tashi — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 21:10:00 GMT

Previously: FTC fines Zango 3 million According to Ben Edelman and Eric Howes , Zango is in violation of the key terms and requirements of the FTC settlement . Featured Research Howes Timeline of Zango's 2005 Practices Edelman Analysis of Zango Commission...(read more)

FTC fines Zango 3 million

tashi — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 19:11:00 GMT

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined adware distributer 'Zango' (formerly 180Solutions) three million dollars for deceptive installs of Zango's pop-up software on users computers and trying to prevent those users from uninstalling it;...(read more)

FTC Closes Spyware Operation

tashi — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 03:05:00 GMT

Enternet Media and ConSpy & Co., an operation that placed “Search Miracle” “Miracle Search" “EM Toolbar" “EliteBar” and “Elite Toolbar spyware on consumers' computers; has been ordered by The...(read more)

The Guardian serves up Zango?

tashi — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 17:24:00 GMT

Video nasty, adware nastier say experts of Guardian.co.uk ad By Will Sturgeon Published: Monday 14 August 2006 "In order to view video clips of car smashes and accidents, or download games and screensavers on Zango.com users must install a file called...(read more)

Warner Bros. To Cut Link With Adware Firm Zango

Susanh — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 22:10:00 GMT

'Inappropriate Material' Could Reach Children Special to The Washington Post Friday, July 28, 2006; Page D05 Brian Krebs writes: "Warner Bros. Studios, home to Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo and Harry Potter, said yesterday that it plans to terminate...(read more)

Current state of Spyware

Susanh — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 04:37:00 GMT

eWEEK Spyware Fades to a Dull Roar, But Targeted Attacks Loom July 20, 2006 Matt Hines writes: "News Analysis: Analysts agree that most enterprises have reached a point where they can effectively block many forms of spyware, but targeted attacks...(read more)

Vonage and Spyware-Delivered Pop-Up Ads

Susanh — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 04:00:00 GMT

Ben Edelman writes:

"I ought to be a Vonage enthusiast. I support Vonage's efforts to protect network neutrality. I applaud their flexible voice over IP service and their efforts to compete with incumbent phone companies. I'm even a VoIP customer (albeit using a competitor's service).

But instead of praising Vonage, I have to criticize them -- not for their core business, nor for their customer service (which others have repeatedly criticized), but for their reckless advertising practices. Vonage spends huge amounts on advertising -- more than $20 million per month. (source) Unfortunately, among this spending is widespread and substantial spyware-delivered advertising."

The article: http://www.benedelman.org/news/071806-1.html