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nForums.net _ Security _ MS AntiSpyware Changes Raise Concern

Posted by: Wiener3 Jul 8 2005, 04:28 PM

CODE

Microsoft's Windows AntiSpyware application is no longer flagging adware products from Claria Corp. as a threat to PC users. Less than a week after published reports of acquisition talks between Microsoft Corp. and the Redwood City, Calif.-based distributor of the controversial Gator ad-serving software, security researchers have discovered that Microsoft has quietly downgraded its Claria detections.

Anti-spyware activist Eric L. Howes, who serves as a consultant to Sunbelt Software, discovered the default changes during a recent test that included four Claria applications: Dashbar, Gator, PrecisionTime and Weatherscope. According to the results published by Howes, four different builds of the Windows AntiSpyware beta detected the Claria products, but the default recommendation was "ignore."

What do you think?

Posted by: Audiyoda Jul 9 2005, 03:48 PM

I think that's why I run Adaware and Spybot S&D as well as the M$ POS.

Posted by: artzelda Jul 9 2005, 04:07 PM

Just shows that MS is really not concerned about this stuff if there is a financial interest involved. They should be ashamed.

Posted by: Bearsland Jul 11 2005, 12:20 AM

My main worry is for those 'not in the know' as far as what Gator is/was. We all know what this crap did/does; a lot of people won't.

Not often I agree with the big ArtZ , but I certainly do on this one.

Bear

btw. Should point out for all all you chaps that do use Spybot, that even it has at least 4 products checked by default in its ignore list: C-dilla (x2), New.net and SideStep. First thing I do with a new build is to 'uncheck' these. Anything that is or was previously famously known as Spyware/Adware gets no place on any of my boxes, regardless of whether Spybot or M$ says it's safe or not.

Posted by: judson70 Jul 11 2005, 02:46 PM

But however, If MS bought that company, they will probably take the adware out of it ... making it an actual useful ???? program .... maybe

Posted by: Surtsey Jul 11 2005, 11:27 PM

Suddenly software becomes useful when Microsoft is behind the helm? I don't fucking think so.

Posted by: PimpScourge Jul 12 2005, 04:24 AM

Obviously M$ wants to keep that software on everybody's machine so they can eventually track people's behaviors and likes. They are not paying 500 million for a password manager.