Spyware

Grok Headline matches for Spyware

Yahoo's Offers New Anti-Spyware Tool...
That Actually Finds Spyware

Yahoo's Offers New Anti-Spyware Tool...
That Actually Finds Spyware 08/05/2004 03:50 AM
It appears that Yahoo heard the backlash loud and clear a few months back when they released an anti-spyware tool that just so happened to skip over adware from Yahoo partners. The latest version, built on PestPatrol's technology will now default to notifying users of both "spyware" and what they consider to be "adware" and then give the user the choice of what to do. I haven't tested the product yet, but it sounds like they're moving in the right direction. It still makes you wonder what they were thinking in offering a purposely crippled offering. People know what spyware is, and telling them that spyware isn't spyware doesn't change how people feel about it. It also doesn't make them look kindly back at the company that provided them with the bogus anti-spyware tool in the first place.

Yahoo's Famed Anti-Spyware App Allows
Spyware From Partners

Yahoo's Famed Anti-Spyware App Allows
Spyware From Partners 06/02/2004 10:10 AM
We didn't write about Yahoo's new "anti-spyware" toolbar that they announced last week, because it seemed to receive plenty of hype, and there were no real reviews of how it worked. There are so many so-called anti-spyware applications out there that don't actually stop spyware and adware for fear of upsetting marketing companies or out of worries that actually stopping spyware may make some applications stop working (upsetting the user), that we figured Yahoo's anti-spyware app (hype and all) probably wouldn't be much to bother with. It certainly looks like that may be the case. eWeek is now reporting that Yahoo tries to dance the careful dance of not upsetting certain companies who threate n to sue people who call their application spyware. Of course, the situation is even more complex because Claria (who you probably know as Gator - despite their attempt to change their name to shake that spyware label) is also a partner of Yahoo. So, it's really not surprising that the default setting for Yahoo's anti-spyware app won't actually remove services like Gator or WhenU. Instead, Yahoo's spyware remover claims these programs are "adware" and will only remove them if you click and extra check box each time you run the program. In other words, once again, you can't trust a provider of anti-spyware software, because they're playing both sides of the fence: partnering with providers on the one hand, and then offering weak removal products on the other. If Yahoo were serious about removing spyware from the computers of users they would refuse to partner with companies that used surreptitious tactics to be installed on computers. Instead, they want to look good to users in the front, while letting in spyware/adware from partners through the backdoor.

AOL Offers Spyware Stopper... Just After
They Started Offering Spyware

AOL Offers Spyware Stopper... Just After
They Started Offering Spyware 04/22/2004 02:36 AM
Just a few weeks after saying that they're going to start bundling spyware/adware with their instant messenger product, AOL announces their latest anti-spyware application. While we've been complaining about anti-spyware from ISPs that just points out the spyware, AOL claims that this version will disable (though not delete) the spyware. I wonder if it will catch the spyware that AOL installs themselves.

Spyware Company Sues Utah Over
Anti-Spyware Law

Spyware Company Sues Utah Over
Anti-Spyware Law 04/13/2004 03:42 PM

What you should know about spyware

What you should know about spyware 04/26/2004 06:19 AM

See how Spyware has taken over a PC

See how Spyware has taken over a PC 05/28/2004 10:46 AM

Want to see what a little program that is full of spyware can do to your system check out this Windows Task Manager. Makes me say ouch. Oh and guess what program it was, the freeware version of Kazaa [ Dave Winer]

The Top Ten Spyware

The Top Ten Spyware 03/22/2005 04:23 PM

According to Webroot Inc. and listed in the Inquirer, here are the top ten spyware and adware threats based on detection as well as potential impact.

1. CoolWebSearch
2. Gator
3. 180 search asst.
4. ISTbar/AUpdate
5. Transponder
6. Internet optimizer
7. BlazeFind
8. Hot as Hell
9. Advance Keylogger
10. TIBS Dialer

Read how each works at the Inquirer Website.

AAA Spyware C.O.P. v10.0

AAA Spyware C.O.P. v10.0 11/13/2003 12:22 PM
This product will scan your P.C. for spyware and adware, notifying you of the infected files, as well as the spyware or adware name. After registering you may use spyware cop as an adware and spyware remover, deleting the infected files and programs. [Shareware $19.95 990 KB]

Spyware: Where's the fix?

Spyware: Where's the fix? 04/20/2004 04:52 PM
ZDNet Apr 20 2004 9:47PM GMT

Spyware vs. spyware

Spyware vs. spyware 08/30/2004 03:50 PM
Even as many online marketing companies struggle to comply with recent federal legislation governing unsolicited commercial e-mail -- spam to you and me -- new state and federal legislation addresses another online blight: spyware. From California to Washington, D.C., lawmakers are lining up for the chance to smack down this bothersome byproduct of online commerce.

Spying on spyware

Spying on spyware 06/16/2004 07:35 PM
Nearly one in every three machines checked for Trojan horses or monitoring software was infected, a new survey finds.

Chances are--you've got spyware

Chances are--you've got spyware 06/17/2004 08:09 AM
ZDNet Jun 17 2004 12:38PM GMT

Spyware creators looking at RSS

Spyware creators looking at RSS 04/06/2005 02:40 PM

Seems RSS has caught the eye of Spyware creators nothing is out there yet, but I am sure it will not be long. [Nick Bradbury]

Spyware bl0g

Spyware bl0g 08/01/2004 10:13 AM
Spyware Warrior: Waging the war against spyware is an anti-spyware blog. Link (via Kottke)

Yahoo! Against Spyware

Yahoo! Against Spyware 05/27/2004 06:26 PM
Search Engine Positioning and Web Marketing weblog,CA-10 hours agoA week after the Google 'good software guidelines' Yahoo! replies with more than words: Their new Yahoo! toolbar which will be launched ...

Damn you, Spyware!

Damn you, Spyware! 04/12/2004 08:47 AM
Ah, what a perfect morning. Crispy matzoh for breakfast, a cup of delicious coffee, and then a couple of hours trying to clean my PC of adware and spyware, some of it fiendishly clever and as tough to pry out as a hermit crab that's grown into its shell. Adaware works pretty well - extremely well since it's free - but there are some objects that it can't delete because they are in use. And neither can I, even doing a safe mode start-up. Die 3avxfmcodec.cpy.dll, die! Some of the little wankers get loaded via my Hosts file, and then...

FTC Takes On Spyware

FTC Takes On Spyware 04/19/2004 07:04 PM

Yahoo Vs Spyware

Yahoo Vs Spyware 05/27/2004 04:41 PM
Yahoo has launched a beta of their Yahoo Toolbar designed to help combat spyware and browser hijackers. In addition they have added a forum to their site for users to discuss spyware in general. This is one of the first major internet portals to recognize and attempt to combat the epedemic of privacy intrusion and advertising software being installed on users computers.

How Many Problems Does Spyware Cause?

How Many Problems Does Spyware Cause? 04/26/2004 11:53 AM
While most of this article covers standard ground about anti-spyware legislations and software programs (though, oddly, it does not mention the two most popular spyware programs: AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy), at the very beginning it notes two interesting tidbits on the impact of spyware. Dell claims that 12% of their calls now involve questions about spyware (meaning it's good that Dell has changed their "don't talk about spyware" policy) while Microsoft claims that 50% of PC crashes are actually due to spyware. While this might seem like a convenient out for Microsoft (whose machines certainly crashed plenty in the time before spyware), it does indicate just how troublesome spyware is on many computers. The worst part isn't just the problems it causes, but the fact that most users have no idea that it's even on their machines at all.

Spyware in the office

Spyware in the office 04/21/2004 05:06 PM
Spyware can infiltrate offices, where it has the potential to gather confidential information. Kelly Martin, a product manager at Symantec, takes a look at spyware and how to keep it out of your company.

FTC to weigh in on spyware

FTC to weigh in on spyware 04/16/2004 06:19 AM
The FTC plans to hold hearings next week to look at the problem of spyware. Would banning spyware have any better outcome than banning spam?

Which Spyware Remover?

Which Spyware Remover? 09/14/2004 08:27 PM
Ad - http://www.AdwareReport.com Sep 14 2004 10:41PM GMT

Spyware: Where's the quick fix?

Spyware: Where's the quick fix? 04/20/2004 07:11 AM
ZDNet Apr 20 2004 11:49AM GMT

Spyware Sucks!

Spyware Sucks! 04/19/2004 08:25 PM

Toolbar ¬Š Š§‡ˆ ¨§ ¨†§…‡€Œ‡§Œ Spyware
…¨§‡ …Œ€Œ©†

Toolbar ¬Š Š§‡ˆ ¨§ ¨†§…‡€Œ‡§Œ Spyware
…¨§‡ …Œ€Œ©† 05/30/2004 11:36 PM
beta.toolbar.yahoo.com .. toolbar

beta.toolbar.yahoo.com
track this site | 5 links

Sizing up "spyware"

Sizing up "spyware" 03/25/2005 07:17 PM
Blog: Software designed to monitor Web surfers' behavior and bombard the PC with pop-up ads is a thriving business. And at least...

The spyware inferno.

The spyware inferno. 08/17/2004 08:40 PM
CNet: The spyware inferno. "For whatever reason, selling software for $30 or less has not worked for new entrants in either retail or Internet channels."

Microsoft and Spyware

Microsoft and Spyware 08/13/2004 12:30 PM
My older, wiser brother Steve points out: "Although Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides fixes for many of Internet Explorer's persistent security flaws, it does little or nothing about spyware, where "free" software adds code to your system that can capture keystrokes, monitor e-mail and IM traffic, and send the resulting data back to the invader's home base without your knowledge."

Watch out for Mac OS spyware

Watch out for Mac OS spyware 03/29/2005 10:45 AM
Gartner Dataquest is cautioning businesses reliant on the Mac to guard against "spyware infestations." According to ZDNET News, Martin Reynolds, vice president of Gartner's Dataquest organization, said although the overall Mac user base is relatively small, just one vulnerability exploit could cause trouble. "The Macintosh installed base is relatively small, with only about three percent of systems in use today running the Mac OS… The Mac OS is also a harder target… However, it only takes one exploited weakness to cause trouble," said Reynolds in a research note. He added that a Mac-only worm would be unlikely to spread very quickly. It might be possible to create a hybrid worm that attacks both the Mac and Microsoft Windows operating systems, but such an attack would be difficult to orchestrate.

Spyware becomes pandemic in the US

Spyware becomes pandemic in the US 04/16/2004 06:28 PM
Computer Shopper Apr 16 2004 9:49PM GMT

The spyware inferno

The spyware inferno 08/13/2004 12:21 PM
CNET News.com Aug 13 2004 5:09PM GMT

Other News: Spyware

Other News: Spyware 04/16/2004 10:28 AM
An EarthLink survey found more than 300,000 trojan horses, monitors and backdoors on personal computers.

Spyware as a service

Spyware as a service 08/12/2004 03:02 PM
ZDNet Aug 12 2004 6:39PM GMT

Shoot-out over spyware

Shoot-out over spyware 08/01/2004 03:24 AM
InternetRetailer.com Aug 1 2004 7:13AM GMT

Spyware and its discontents

Spyware and its discontents 02/12/2004 07:58 AM
Ari Schwartz explains why the Center for Democracy and Technology is asking regulators in Washington to crack down on spyware.

RSS, Spam and Spyware

RSS, Spam and Spyware 06/05/2005 11:08 PM

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm a firm believer in using blogs and RSS for distributed conversation. So, I'd like to start a conversation about the threat that spam and spyware pose to our little syndicated world. I brought this topic up with several companies who were at the Syndicate Conference, and I was disturbed to discover how few of them are even thinking about this pending problem.

Most of them replied, "Spam problem? But there isn't one - if someone's feed contains spam, everyone will just unsubscribe!" Well, yeah - but only if we subscribe to individual feeds, which I believe will take a backseat to aggregated feeds. I'll use my own experience with the NewsG ator acquisition as an example: hundreds of blogs contained news of the acquisition, but I was subscribed to very few of their feeds. Instead, I subscribed to dynamic search feeds - that is, keyword-based feeds powered by RSS search engines - which enabled me to listen in on the conversation. Very powerful indeed - but unfortunately, very spammable.

There are already fake< /a> spam blogs, many of which have RSS feeds. Most of the ones I've seen were created to influence search engine rankings, but it's only a matter of time before they use their feeds for delivering spam (I'll wager that some of them already do). These fake blogs are easy to set up, so as soon as one is taken down, it will re-appear somewhere else (much like their spyware-filled brethren, the warez sites), making it tricky to simply filter them out by their subdomain name. My guess is that the main reason we don't see more RSS spam is simply because spammers are waiting for it to be profitable. Now that conferences such as Syndicate are attended not just by geeks and developers but also by investors, they've got to be thinking that the time is almost here. Create a bunch of fake blogs littered with popular keywords, and let their feeds be picked up by the RSS search engines (to their credit, some of the RSS search engine companies I talked with are already tackling this problem).

Even if I'm way off base about how spam will come to RSS, we all know that spammers will find a way to jump on the RSS bandwagon. Given past history, every new social technology needs to think about spam right from the start, or else risk being crippled by it (side note: many implementations of tagging also strike me as being spammable).

Related to this is the fact that RSS enclosures (a.k.a. "podcasts") must look attractive to spywa re creators. Before I added podcast features to FeedDemon, I took a look at how a few of the existing tools were handling them. To my surprise, security didn't seem to be a big concern - they'd even download EXE enclosures, perhaps assuming that the user's anti-virus software would stop them from being executed if they were malware. Couple automatic enclosure downloading with dynamic search feeds which contain enclosures, and you've got a great spyware delivery system. This is why I made sure that FeedDemon used a safe list for downloading enclosures.

If you make a living from RSS, I hope you'll join in this conversation - either here or in your own blog - and let everyone know whether you're thinking about this problem (or, just let me know I'm full of it if you disagree that it's a threat).

Learning About Spyware

Learning About Spyware 03/30/2005 11:47 AM
How safe are you really from Spyware? Do you know what really is really lurking in your machines, reporting on where you go and what you do? Does your machine seem slower than it used to be? Is it doing odd, inexplicable things? Before you call the Ghostbusters, maybe it's time to learn about Spyware and [...]

Spyware Gets Top Billing

Spyware Gets Top Billing 07/03/2004 12:45 AM
Computerworld Jul 3 2004 4:06AM GMT

Who's Seeding the Net With Spyware?

Who's Seeding the Net With Spyware? 06/15/2004 11:34 AM

Grok Description matches for Spyware
GrokA matches for Spyware

Spyware

The following phrases have been identified by the grok system as matching this entry: