Spitzer Sues Intermix Media for Bundling Spyware

CousinLarry writes "Attorney General and corporate watchdog Eliot Spitzer has filed suit against Intermix Software, alleging that the company deviously and deceptively bundles spyware with its 'free' screensaver and game products. 'Spyware and adware are more than an annoyance,' Spitzer said. 'These fraudulent programs foul machines, undermine productivity and in many cases frustrate consumers' efforts to remove them from their computers.'"

Comments

More info on *&^%$#@! spyware companies ...

[xmas2003]

While I think Splitzer can be a bit overzealous and grandstanding (plus laying groundwork for his run for political office), I can't think of a better group of companies to go after than *&^%$#@! spyware companies. For those interested in some great detailed info about these cockroaches, take a look at Ben Edelman's web site ... where he also indentifies the folks who finance 'em.

Two words

[YrWrstNtmr]

Safe Mode.

Nuking the site from orbit is not the only option.

Re:How to solve these problems.

[drsmack1]

You wiped a computer because of spyware? What would you say if someone wiped their Linux box because Mozilla would not start.

Just about the same thing. I have not found any spyware that could not be removed. Maybe you actually have to look something up on the internet; but I guess it is a better story if "it was so bad that I had to wipe the box!".

Check out:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/files/killbox.php

and ...

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/ 0,fid,23258,00.asp

And read a bit:

http://www.pchell.com/support/spyware.shtml

Not so hard if you really *want* to be able to do it.

You didn't hear?

[M.C. Hampster]

He'll most likely be running for governor of New York state.

Re:You didn't hear?

[ajakk]

Most likely?

Intermix is not just spyware

[Tezkah]

It's worth noting that Intermix also runs the popular "networking" website MySpace. This site is used by lots of people, and many bands have pages set up on there. Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins fame even has a profile on there.

Makes you wonder what they're doing with the information people put on there.

Re:At last...

[deglr6328]

Seriously. Almost every time I see Mr. Spitzer's name in the media I like what I see. He is what I view as the embodiment of what it means to be a TRUE American. A genuine good-guy who isn't afraid to stand up for what's right and fuck everyone who doesn't like it. It's pretty sad, but I've never voted for someone who I really wanted to see in some particular office, just mostly against the person who I wanted to prevent from attaining that office. If Spitzer runs for Gov. of NY it would be the first time I would be voting for someone who I really thought completely deserved to win.

Re:Spyware is hell

[Mycroft_VIII]

Unfortunately there are alot of spyware programs like you mention, and often the false positives are NOT mistakes, but rather deliberate attempts to goad you into buying thier 'pro' version.
In some cases the 'anti-spyware' uninstalls some spyware, but only to prevent competition with the spyware IT comes with.
AOL's current anti-spyware offering falls into the last category IIRC.
Your best bet for free scanners is likely ad-aware (lavasoft) and Spybot Search and Destroy.
One site I've found that talks about the bad anti-spyware products is http://www.spywarewarrior.com/. Give them a look and see if your using one of the bad products.

Mycroft

The Marting Act - The A-Bomb Of Financial Lawsuits

[maxconfus]

If I was Intermix, I would be nervous. Spitzer the NY AG is able to go after this California company using what is called the Martin Act.

The push of the Martin Act is to arm the New York attorney general to combat financial fraud. It empowers him to subpoena any document he wants from anyone doing business in the state; to keep an investigation totally secret or to make it totally public; and to choose between filing civil or criminal charges whenever he wants. People called in for questioning during Martin Act investigations do not have a right to counsel or a right against self-incrimination. Combined, the act's powers exceed those given any regulator in any other state. Now for the scary part: To win a case, the AG doesn't have to prove that the defendant intended to defraud anyone, that a transaction took place, or that anyone actually was defrauded. Plus, when the prosecution is over, trial lawyers can gain access to the hoards of documents that the act has churned up and use them as the basis for civil suits. "It's the legal equivalent of a weapon of mass destruction," said a lawyer at a major New York firm who represents defendants in Martin Act cases (and who didn't want his name used because he feared retribution by Spitzer). "The damage that can be done under the statute is unlimited."

I agree with the lawsuit against intermix. Sneak software installs and that very annoying FlowGo email newsletter suck. If fraud can be established then whether it occurred on the Internet or over the phone or in the cash register at the local grocery store then it should be put down. On the other hand, I am not sure how much better I feel knowing what the martin act can do. Although, I doubt Spitzer would have been able to stop Wall Street dead in its tracks without the Martin.