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California Sets Fines for Spyware

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the pay-to-play dept.

aj50 writes "The BBC has the story that California is introducing new laws to help eradicate spyware. The bill bans the installation of software that can be used to take over another computer and allows customers to seek $1000 in damages if they've fallen victim to this kind of malicious software. Can this really help cut down spyware or will it just be another fatally flawed piece of legislation?"

10 of 199 comments (clear)

  1. Yep, bad legistlation... or maybe it's the summary by Rahga · · Score: 4, Funny

    "The bill bans the installation of software that can be used to take over another computer..."

    Goodbye, SSH. I'll miss you.

  2. Re:Yep, bad legistlation... or maybe it's the summ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    Goodbye, SSH. I'll miss you.

    Goodbye, Windows.

  3. Checklist by Rie+Beam · · Score: 2, Funny

    "The legislation, which was approved by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is designed to safeguard people from hackers and help protect their personal information."

    "One form of spyware called adware has the ability to collect information on a computer user's web-surfing.

    It can result in people being bombarded with pop-up ads that are hard to close.    "

    Lesse. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Check. Hackers as evil villians. Check. Mixing javascript pop-up ads and Malware. Check.

    "Can this really help cut down spyware or will it just be another fatally flawed piece of legislation?"

    I dunno, what do you think?

  4. Plan for world domination by didjit · · Score: 4, Funny

    1. Setup insecure windows box.
    2. Intentionally get infected with spyware.
    3. Profit!

    1. Re:Plan for world domination by hhawk · · Score: 2, Funny

      If we had some large scale public software tool like all the SETI code crunchers, we could automate the filing of Law Suites...

      --
      http://www.hawknest.com/
  5. Re:Yep, bad legistlation... or maybe it's the summ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Man, the one chance to say "RTFB!" and you blew it. Good going.

  6. Listen up Californians - how to get rich by skinfitz · · Score: 3, Funny

    1. Get a copy of Spybot

    2. Run it on all your PC's. Statistically each PC will have on average 28 pieces of spyware on it.

    3. DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEMS!!! They are now evidence!

    4. Carefully research each piece of spyware found by Spybot to see if you can sue the makers for $1000 each.

    5. If you find anything, call your lawyer.

    6. Profit!

  7. Re:Watch out for the loophole! by generic-man · · Score: 4, Funny

    Can you say MPAA/RIAA?

    I can't. I tried, It came out sounding like "um-pahh, ree-ahh." My family thought I was speaking in tongues.

    --
    For more information, click here.
  8. Penelty for spyware! by ki4bbo · · Score: 2, Funny

    I can see their new laws now: "Do not install spyware, or Arnold will personally come and terminate you!"

  9. Re:Cookies by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I wonder if I can get a $1000 dollar for each of those.

    Given that most dollars only cost $1, I don't think you'll have any success in finding a $1000 dollar. If you do find a dollar worth $1000, let me know -- I'd love to cash those in!