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NEWS: FTC Busts Rogue Anti-Spyware Vendor

said by FTC:

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An operation that offered consumers free spyware detection scans that “detected” spyware even if there was not any, to market anti-spyware software that does not work has been barred from making deceptive claims by a U. S. District court at the request of the FTC. The FTC will seek a permanent halt to the marketing scam and redress for consumers.

In papers filed with the court, the FTC alleges that Spyware Assassin and its affiliates used Web sites, e-mail, banner ads, and pop-ups to drive consumers to the Spyware Assassin Web site. After exposing consumers to a litany of the dire consequences of having spyware on their computers, the Web site warns, “you WILL eventually experience credit card and/identity theft and your computer will ultimately crash and cease working for good . . . It’s not a matter of if, but truly a matter of when.”

According to the FTC complaint, the Web site offers to scan consumers’ computers at no cost to determine whether they’re infected with spyware. One “scan”– the remote scan – is performed when consumers land on the Web site. The free “scan” displays a pop-up message that states, “URGENT ERROR ALERT: You have dangerous spyware virus infections on your computer. Click OK to install the latest free update to fix these errors. Immediate action is highly recommended before you continue!” The other “scan”– the “local scan” – is performed when consumers click to download the defendants’ software. Both scans warn consumers that they have spyware installed on their system.

The FTC charges that, “the defendants’ free remote scan is phony, and the defendants’ representations that they have detected spyware on the consumer’s computer are deceptive.” According to the agency, the pop-up that announces that consumers have spyware pops up automatically, even when the computer is clean and does not have spyware installed on it.

During the “local” scan consumers are warned that their computer is infected with spyware and a message flashes on the screen listing the names and file locations of the spyware on the system. Even when the computer is clean of all spyware, the defendants report that spyware has been detected, and the file folders the defendants claim contain the spyware are either empty or contain files that do not contain spyware, according to the agency.

The defendants claim that the software they sell for $29.95 will “remove all spyware programs and files” and will “prevent any future breaches.” According to the FTC, the “anti-spyware” software does not remove all or substantially all spyware, and the defendants deceptive claims violate the FTC Act, which bars deceptive claims.

The agency will seek a permanent ban on the deceptive claims and will ask the court to order consumer redress from defendants MaxTheater, Inc., a Washington corporation and Thomas L. Delanoy, its principal.

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Thanks for a bit of positive news, Eric. One down....

reply to eburger68
That's great news! I suppose this means iDownload will have to find a new "industry leader".

reply to eburger68
Mers2 said:

quote:

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Thanks for a bit of positive news, Eric. One down....

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quote:

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false positives work as goad to purchase; no EULA/Privacy Policy; uses out-of-date reference database; same app as Adware Hitman, Consumer Identity, NoAdware, Protect Your Identity, SpyBan, Spyware C.O.P., SpywareKilla, The Adware Hunter, & TheSpywareKiller [A: 7-4-04 / U: 7-4-04]

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reply to hpguru

reply to eburger68
Hi All:

A few blog entries and news stories:

Suzi of Spyware Warrior is happy:

Rogue Vendor Spyware Assassin Busted!
»netrn.net/spywareblog/archives/2···-busted/

Wayne Porter of Xblock.com seems pleased as well:

Spyware Assassin Assassinated by FTC
»www.revenews.com/wayneporter/arc···514.html

And here's the first news story (from Reuters):

FTC Says Anti-Spyware Vendor Shut Down
»www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtm···=7881764

The Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware page sports a new headline to trumpet the good news:

»www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_ant···ware.htm

Edit: PC World now has a story as well:

FTC Takes Down Fraudulent Anti-Spyware Company
»blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/arch···567.html

Best,

Eric L. Howes

reply to eburger68

reply to eburger68

johnpro, I'm confused. Are you posting about iDownload or Spyware Assassin?

PCWorld has the story now, too:

FTC Takes Down Fraudulent Anti-Spyware Company
»blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/arch···567.html

reply to eburger68
Good news, indeed. May many more fall like the house of cards they are. Thanks for the information, Eric.
--
Rocky is, was, and always will be Dawg E. Dawg.

reply to suzi
johnpro, I'm confused. Are you posting about iDownload or Spyware Assassin?

******************

Idownload is my news at the moment. I followed a lead in from a previous post.

Perhaps I should have started a new thread .......??

idownload is very topical at the moment as most of us know.
Where to post for me on this site is an issue of getting a "feel" for the site.

I have spent the last 3 years debating on "christian debate" a msn comm. service.

Both are similar really with much fraudlent activity and many self serving claims made in both camps .....or so it would seem!

However ..I digress from the real PC issues at hand!

jp

reply to eburger68
Thanks for the info Eric, that's 1 down.

reply to eburger68
Woo hoo! Good story, and good news!

reply to eburger68
Excellent news!

I like this part:

quote:

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The company could be required to give back all the money it made from selling Spyware Assassin.

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reply to eburger68


... thanks Eric, nice to see some good news from the front lines ...

reply to eburger68
Great news, but it begs the questions: will Spyware Assassin somehow weasel out of it? And what about disreputable anti-virus vendors who do the same thing? (lo Veloz)

Still, nice to see the government working for us and apparently doing some good.
--
TCPA - Treacherous Computing
Kerio 2.1.5 - Best damn firewall
Home licensing should be just that.

reply to eburger68

There are LOTS of defendants here!

reply to eburger68

Re: NEWS: FTC Busts Rogue Anti-Spyware Vendor