Slashdot Mirror
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...
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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