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U.S. To Impose Spyware Control Laws

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the every-click-you-make dept.

ArbiterOne writes "BBC has the story: A bill has been introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives to control the proliferation of spyware and malware. The proposed bill would force programs to inform the user before installing programs, and require that spyware be easily removed. A study by EarthLink found that the average user has 28 spyware programs on their computer!"

13 of 402 comments (clear)

  1. I wonder which 28 are on my Mac? Oh wait... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    NONE!

  2. Re:Believe it or not... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    With only 110 less they would have been 1337!!

  3. A step in the right direction.. by Anath · · Score: 4, Funny

    It is, but I can't see it being useful.

    Unless it contains decent punishments of course, like say.. Dragging the Spyware foisting bastards out into the street and shooting them in the back of the head, or some sort of testicle electrode device (like a "home detention" prisoner, goes off whenever the spyware "calls home")

    --
    The earth is 98% full, please delete anyone you can!
  4. Re:But what about SunnComm? by dsanfte · · Score: 5, Funny

    The term "mal" is French. I cannot believe, as a patriotic citizen, that you would endorse or condone the use of language from the mouths of the Republic's enemies! Traitor! This is not the act of a respectful, honorable, patriotic citizen. You will be punished for this act of treason, let me assure you.

    --
    occultae nullus est respectus musicae - originally a Greek proverb
  5. And what will it help? by klingens · · Score: 5, Funny

    I am sure this new law will be a overwhelming success story like the recent CANSPAM act.
    And now excuse me, I need to clean my Inbox again.

  6. Sigh.. Below Average Again.. by sparkane · · Score: 2, Funny

    I only have 0 spywares on my ENTIRE network. :(

  7. 29...30...31...32... by immel · · Score: 3, Funny

    28 pieces of spyware on the drive 28 pieces of spyware Go to download.com get a "Removal app" 29 pieces of spyware on the drive! _
    But seriously, there are a lot of apps out there pretending to be "spyware removal programs" that are actually spyware themselves. ACCEPT NO IMITATIONS!

    --

    10 Bits= $.25
    100 Bits= $.50
    110 Bits= $.75
    1000 Bits= 1 byte
  8. Re:But what about SunnComm? by cdrudge · · Score: 2, Funny

    Freedomware just doesn't have the same ring to it. Malware is bad. The French are bad (well...not good). Frenchware?

  9. Re:But what about SunnComm? by lpret · · Score: 2, Funny
    The terrorists have already won if we allow malware on American computers!!1

    Therefore, we need more boobies! no logic, i just like the thought

    --
    This is my digital signature. 10011011001
  10. Misleading study by wolfemi1 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "A study by EarthLink found that the average user has 28 spyware programs on their computer!"

    No, the average EarthLink user has 28 spyware programs on their computer :P

  11. Re:I'm just a bill on... by Bombcar · · Score: 2, Funny

    Don't forget:

    SUBSECTION C 1.56.34 Q

    Posting text to Slashdot.org without paragraph breaks shall be punishable under the "Use Preview" Act of 2005.

    --
    Fellowship 9/11
  12. Re:28 Spyware programs? by base3 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Shit, and I'm only charging $40. Please tell me you're on one of the coasts :).

    --
    One CPU cycle wasted on digital restrictions management is ONE TOO MANY.
  13. Re:Believe it or not... by LabRat007 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Largest number I've found is 1335 on a single machine. I'm thinking about changing my service call pricing from hourly to "per spyware item removed". ;)

    --
    "Capital punishment makes the state into a murderer. Imprisonment makes the state into a gay dungeon-master"