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Windows AntiSpyware Downgrades Claria Detections
accihap writes "A week after word leaked out that Microsoft was negotiating an acquisition deal with Claria (See recent /. coverage), spyware researchers have noticed that the Windows antispyware application has downgraded Claria's Gator detections and changed the recommended action from 'quarantine' to 'ignore.' Screenshots of the new default settings."
~sigh~ At least they're still bothering to detect it. But seriously, there isn't a "WTF" big enough to describe this, since it's probably only the tip of the iceberg...
One has to wonder if companies such as Microsoft do things like this intentionally or, as the comment in the article indicated, simply miss some things in the wash?
Either way it will certainly feed the gnashing-of-teeth syndrome that occurs anytime the words 'Microsoft' and 'spyware' are uttered in the same sentence.
We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Why would anyone rely on a security product of any kind owned by the same people as the OS? Not only are users subjected to this kind of tomfoolery, but in general marketing a security product for your own operating system is like correcting your own spelling test... best left to a third party.
Spyware works because Microsoft designed their softwarein such a way that lets it work. The premise of trusting their anti-spyware tools is ludicrous.
Consumer Reports doesn't accept outside advertising - it'd compromise their ability to do their job.
This is why you want your anti-spyware company making anti-spyware software and nothing else. Of all the software I've installed at one point or another, I remember Gator (along with later versions of Kazaa) being the worst about installing obnoxious unwanted software, not mentioning it, and then the software is a pain in the ass to remove. It clearly SHOULD be targeted by any software out there purporting to keep the user's best interests in mind, but Microsoft the Fox is, once again, guarding the henhouse that is your computer.
Anybody who puts their sole trust in a MS spyware-protector deserves what they get, especially when MS starts buying up spyware companies.
Dare to Hope. Prepare to be Disappointed.
Sure the connection appears clear with the MS buying of Claria (rumoured), but there has been a lot of press as of late regarding how a lot of spyware (alleged) are suing anti-spy companies to get off the lists.
Since we are "geeks" we may know what to remove and what to keep, but I feel bad for people like my grandparents who rely on anti spy 100% to make their decisions....
And All I Ask is a Tall Ship And a Star to Steer Her By
Argh! Second time today that I'm going to be suckered into a discussion I shouldn't get into. I really need to work on my self control.
Personally, I do run Linux as my primary OS, with an install of Windows 2000 for all those times Linux just won't do. It's probably an 80/20 thing, maybe more, maybe less, depending on what I'm doing that day. Things like Photoshop, Dreamweaver and other "productivity apps" either don't have a Linux equivalent or don't have an equally functional Linux Equivalent. This leads me then to have to use Windows. Is that my fault, is that Microsoft's fault, is that Adobes fault or even Linus' fault? No, that's market forces.
Could Microsoft do more to make Windows "secure"? Yes, of course they could. Could Ford do more to make the Taurus less polluting? Yes, of course they could. But does that mean I should automatically stop driving my car? No, of course not, I, as a consumer, make a decision based on my needs and available options and choose accordingly. I drive less, to limit my polluting effects, but I still need to get to and from work, so I do. I use Windows less so I can limit my chance of having problems, but I still need to use Windows only software, so I do.
Of course someone is going to mention CrossOver Office, which I do use for a number of pieces of software. I consider it to be the catalytic converter of computers. It helps limit the effects of a problem but doesn't address the root cause.
We've all put up with fixing Windows for a living or maybe circle of family and friends. If your really unlucky, both. When I think about the time I've put into getting spyware off my [Pastor's, Father's, Sister's] computer, and then consider that Microsoft is (inexplicably?) getting into the Spyware game themselves, it's time to stop.
At this point I'm only supporting OS X and recommending anyone to get a Mac Mini when applicable. The world has moved on, the browser is the new platform, and it's time to stop supporting Microsoft if they continue to make the user experience miserable.
People might still complain a Mac Mini is expensive, but if you stop fixing Windows for them -- those Best Buy Geek Squad visits aren't cheap, either.
Actually, yes it will.
the It group at Corperate headquarters recently sent us in IT an email stating that "MS anti-spyware will not be acceptable as a spyware removal tool" and we are going to be issued corperate licenses for adaware in a few days. I wonder what 10,000 licenses of adaware will look like?
I would rather fix windows than have the person go out and buy a new computer.
Fixing windows ensures the person has a running copy and a working computer, so they would not need to pay the microsoft tax again.
Why read the article when I can just make up a snap judgement?
Too bad the admin's can plug the holes in the operating system more efficiently than the holes suck them dry of resources.
If anything, this shows that future Microsoft Operating Systems:
1) won't be anymore secure than previous versions
2) may even bundle Claria/Gator with their products
3) will be just as successful as their predecessors despite all of this
Get paid to code OSS
I've got multiple boxes at my place, and while most of them are Linux / BSD, I keep windows on a laptop. I've brought this laptop (running win2k pro) to different wireless hotspots, different ethernet lan hookups, and even into my friends apartments and hopped on their lan, with insecure machines.
My laptop does not have an antivirus, spyware remover, or firewall. However, I've never had a problem. Probably because I update windows every time I use the computer and I disabled all but the imperative system services. And I've never had a virus, spyware, or any other sort of issue. Then again, I use firefox w/ flashblock & adblock and the like.
Is this the case for other slashdotters? Or am I the luckiest person this side of the Atlantic?
Remember this?
January 7, 2005
Betting a Billion
Bob's Predictions for 2005
By Robert X. Cringely
1) Microsoft's entry into the anti-virus and anti-spyware businesses will be a disaster for users. This is based on everything I know about Microsoft, having watched the company for almost 28 years. They will make a big fanfare, spend a lot of marketing dollars, but in the end, the company simply won't be able to keep up with the demands of keeping virus signatures current, which isn't the real point of this gambit, anyway. There is so much to this story and so much that I could write that I think I'll do so next week, and just move on to the next prediction.
ok, admittedly, this post is a bit inflamatory, and somewhat off-topic, but I do understand the frustration, because I've felt it myself at times.
.NET has frustrated me to the point where a sailor would have been embarassed to hear the words coming out of my mouth, but I don't think they're the evil empire everyone makes them out to be. Just think about it this way...if this was apple, would you feel the same way? Would there be this much hostility?
Obviously, slashdot submissions are driven by the interests of the people that read and contribute to the site. These interests tend to run towards linux and apple and against MS, which produces a definate bias, but that's what happens when a community with strong opinions controls the content.
The frustration mostly comes from the actual comments. I can't tell you how many times I've been called ignorant for using Windows. The fact is (as I believe the parent was sort of trying to say) that there are compelling reasons for using Windows. Our server runs openBSD, and I still use mostly linux for coding, but it just makes sense to check in windows. My last project used hardware that was only supported in windows. Yeah, there were packages available for linux, but what if there were hardware problems? Where would my users get help? Not only that, but design stuff (can't afford a mac right now) and a bunch of games are SO much easier to do in windows. And it's not like this thing is breaking on me left right and center either - I've only had 1 virus in the past 2 years (my own stupidity) and although I occasionally have to wipe some spyware off, it's normally not more than 1 or 2 progams every few months, and I can usually pinpoint where the stuff is from.
Now, don't get me wrong, microsoft products are far from perfect -
Just something to think about...
...no two people are not on fire.
It's all part of the master plan. Microsoft, in its never ending search for new revenue streams, has realized that there is an enormous market in the online targeted advertising and consumer metrics industries. Naturally, Microsoft would like to monopolize these revenue streams. But, due to the fact that the adware/spyware business is flooded with participants, it is a fractured industry that suffers operationally from all the competitors fighting each other on a single PC.
Microsoft has decided to eliminate the competing adware/spyware vendors. This frees up consumer's PC's, allowing them to run properly again. This pleases Microsoft's customers. At the same time, the PC's are able to run the Microsoft spyware unencumbered, collecting vast quantities of consumer data. This pleases Microsoft's new customers, the advertising industry.
It's a win/win for Microsoft and a lose/lose for the end user. Get use to it. It's nothing new its just more thorough than before.
Sure, when it was Giant, before the great Bill issued his "Buy 'em out boys!" directive and it has gone downhill ever since. Not that I mind personally, as all my main machines are Macs now. I don't want to spend my life running Spybot, Ad-Aware, and MS-antispyware just to get the machine back to normal. At $85 and hour it's not so bad, but these days I trust Spybot and ad-aware pro far more than MS's offering. Just the other day they caught about 35 spy/ad/bug/scumware products that the MS product just merrily ignore. It's obvious they're going the IE route with it and just barely keeping in alive with Terry Schaivo class developers hooked to tubes of Mountain Dew to keep them twitching for the execs.
Do you have to know somebody to get a story posted???
Why would anyone rely on a security product of any kind owned by the same people as the OS?
I think it's more to the point that security products shouldn't be trusted from companies who try to make alliances within the computer industry. Security products should protect the user, not contractual obligations.
Who would you trust more: a freelance movie critic or a movie critic hired by a movie studio?
This has been and always will be Microsoft's downfall. They just can't resist dipping their hands in the money jar. You can't compromise your alleged integrity and at the same time expect to be a trusted purveyor of security software.
Yes, my only tool is a hammer. And you're starting to look like a nail.
That's pretty much the size of it now, I'm afraid. Spybot's good, but doesn't see everything, Adaware ignores some stuff, so you're forced to use multip anti-spyware programs. The very fact that MS even bought an anti-spyware product is pretty much an admission that Internet Explorer is a piece of shit, and now MS is playing games of its own. Here's a tip, if you're not going to abandon Windows completely, then start using Firefox or Opera.
The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
How can you possibly trust such a product
I don't. The price of freedom is eternal vigilence. Right now, the tool is very effective and I personally have the sense to flag Gator for removal. As the product evolves, I may change my evalutation of it. Many products get affected by mergers, acquisitions and threat of lawsuits. Microsoft deserves plenty of bad press for this. But to say that I'm going to throw out my mechanics tools because one wrench is broken is just plain silly.
bance.net
I actually went to visit Gator not knowing what gator is(looks like google's toolbar form completion system), Its not deceptive at all. It clearly states $30 for the program or you can get an Ad Supported version. If this definition of spyware, shouldn't Microsoft's Spyware program detect Ad supported version of Opera as spyware? Or is this some kneejerk reaction because its Microsoft and everything they do is bad?
Have you ever been to a turkish prison?
What if you had a system that Just Worked, where you didn't have to deal with these things, and where you really could be on the computer just for doing what you want to do?
For me, that's Windows 2003, OSX 10.4 and FC4. I know enough about each of these to not have to spend more than an hour per month in total maintaining the systems, and I'm efficient (at different kinds of tasks) with all three. While it's possible to spend much more time incompetently dealing with system tasks (or worse yet, trying to force the tools to become something they're not), users' lack of knowledge are not the fault of the operating systems.
There are 1.1... kinds of people.
As stated in my sig, I don't hate Microsoft. Initially, I was shocked by this /. article, but after a little bit of thought, I could see this as being a very reasonable change.
Hear me out...
Microsoft buys Claria/Gator/whatever-it-is. Microsoft shuts down the server that collected the stollen customer information. The "spy" part of the spyware is now completely harmless. Additionally, Microsoft may have examined the source code and discovered that it's installation makes some change to Windows that may be dangerous to undo. An ad-supported application could cease to function, or worse.
As this spyware is effectively no longer spying, it is less of a threat and removal of it could be potentially problematic, so the default should be the safest choice: ignore.
I may be wrong, but I think this is a perfectly logical and moral change.
http://brandonbloom.name
Microsoft, FTC reach privacy settlement
And, given that this was not the only incident that MS abused customer information or lied to people about what or why they were collecting data, I'd rather not trust them with access to my personal information. You do not need to give away bank numbers to cause great harm.
InnerWeb
Freud might say that Intelligent Design is religion's ID.
that Microsoft had agreed to remove weatherbug (made by Claria) from their spyware definitions almost as soon as it was released as part of vendor dispute resolution processes.
Unfortunately, I am not joking.