Anti-Spyware Vendor Partners with Spyware Company?

Tuxedo Jack writes "eWeek reports that the anti-spyware vendor Aluria Software has partnered with WhenU of 'WhenUSave' and 'SaveNow' infamy. They've removed WhenU from their spyware/malware definition lists, certified their applications as safe, and they deny that money was involved. As a result, SpywareInfo and many other anti-spyware sites are delisting Aluria's 'Spyware Eliminator' from their lists of preferred software. Is this a dangerous trend for anti-spyware? Or are we just witnessing a natural evolution? I sure hope it's neither - I like my Windows boxes junkware-free, thanks (oxymoron noted)."

Comments

Been there, done that

[blowdart]

How is different from virus vendors stopping reporting on "corporate" keyloggers?

WhenUGetSued...

[LostCluster]

One problem that these anti-spyware programs are bound to run into is claims that a "spyware" program is a "legitimate business to consumer marketing connection enabler" by its makers. Afterall, in most cases the user has "agreed" to allow these programs to run by installing something without fully reading the terms of service.

That may be the reason why this group caved... not that money changed hands, but the threat of a lawsuit was waived around.

Re:WhenUGetSued...

[lordkuri]

That may be the reason why this group caved... not that money changed hands, but the threat of a lawsuit was waived(sic) around.

ah yes... free market indeed... as long as you have enough money, you can wave some papers at another company, and intimidate them into submission. We really need something to hold these companies (and their lawyers) accountable for this kind of crap.

-lk

Lavasoft too

[hoborocks]

This happened with lavasoft too, right? They started some consortium on spyware and then left it when it was evident that evil practices were going on... Perhaps there needs to be a legal definition of spyware before vendors will keep constant as to their aims? The problem is with defining it is that the somewhat arbitrary nature that's necessary will backfire and be abused *cough cough DMCA cough cough*.

Open Source Anti-Spyware

[LegendOfLink]

Does this mean the only anti-spyware solution we can trust is or should be open source?

I would think yes.

Anybody else?

Risk of corporate keyloggers.

[Anonymous Coward]

I used to run a pretty big e-commerce site, and had a customer who'se credit card info was stolen off of one of those "corporate keyloggers".

Apparently the keylogs weren't secure and someone inside the company stole his credit card info when he made a (work related) purchase from Amazon.com on his own credit card.

If you're at work and not using your own laptop or a Knoppix disk, make sure you only use a corporate credit card when ordering online.

Personally I think he should have sued his employer, but he wanted to keep his job.

Re:not a new trend.

[FatherKabral]

http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?showtopic =44037 Check this thread out from Lavasoft's own forums..."Hotbar" and "not a threat"...used in the same context? That's like using "not evil" to describe "Satan"!!! Perhaps Lavasoft is another one getting ready to sell out...?

Re:like anti virus companies

[null etc.]

This "age old" question is perhaps the stupidest conspiracy theory I've ever heard. Corporations go to great lengths to avoid lawsuits, and I can't imagine that any successful antivirus company would risk losing all of their money in a class action lawsuit by pulling such a stupid move. Why would an antivirus corporation risk writing viruses? There are plenty of socially stunted 15 year olds to do that.

BTW the pural of "virus" is "viruses". Look it up on google.