Broadband Tech > Security > Security > FTC Spyware Workshop: 1st Impressions

reply to BillPStudios

Re: FTC Spyware Workshop: 1st Impressions

Nope, I didn't get Eric on my camera.
I'm still so stunned about the Coast welcoming New.net that I couldn't sleep so I'll expand on some of Eric's comments.

Avi Naider from WhenU said 100 million users have installed WhenU programs and 80 million have removed it.
He was suggesting this was a positive thing in demonstrating users really do have a way to Uninstall the software they had once agreed to install. According to research surveys by PC Pitstop 86% of those remaining users aren't even aware they have it on their system. Interesting business model.

You can call it adware if you want but its still generating complaints. According to Bryson Gordon from McAfee Security, 86% of their problem reports from their VirusScan were not viruses but were Adware. They defined 3% as Spyware.

Microsoft was there showing off features added to Windows XP SP2 which looked good. Their dialog showing BHO's and Toolbar add-ons was pretty cryptic especially when compared the screen we display in our WinPatrol program but it's a step in the right direction. I'm not sure how useful it is showing the GUID to help the average user decide if they want to keep a program or not.

The funniest comment was from Microsoft's Brian Arbogast on Panel Four. According to Microsoft, 50% of system crashes are caused by spyware. I didn't think Windows was suppose to crash anymore but at least now we know it's due to spyware.

Bill Pytlovany
BillP Studios

Wow, they must have had a lot of spyware in Windows 3.1.

-- B
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In a realm outside causality and function