New trend in spyware?

[Schadenfroh]

Text

There are three separate but related events that have occurred here. First, presumably Aluria Software has removed Whenu.com's software from the targeting database of their Spyware Eliminator product.

The second issue is that Aluria has certified WhenU.com and their software as "spyware free" with a certification program the company maintains. Aluria began this program several months ago.

he last issue is one that has caused a blizzard of bad publicity both for Aluria and WhenU and has led several antispyware groups, including SpywareInfo.com, to denounce Aluria. Aluria has entered a partnership in which Aluria Software and WhenU.com will develop software together. These two companies now are business partners.

WhenU.com now distributes a program called Ucontrol Scanner, powered by software from Aluria and branded by WhenU, that works as an antispyware scanner. WhenU and Aluria now are in the questionable position of targeting competing adware programs.

Also, WhenU has released another program called WhenUSearch Toolbar which incorporates into it the scanning engine from Aluria Spyware Eliminator. If Eric Howes will excuse me for quoting him, "It now appears that the Aluria scanner is actually bundled or integrated into the WhenUSearch Toolbar. In other words, by removing the WhenUSearch toolbar, other anti-spyware vendors will effectively be removing a competing anti-spyware product."

Some experts are predicting that this whole situation will lead to lawsuits for unfair competition.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

hmm, i've never heard of those anti-spyware software.

I just use adaware and spybot

 

[imported_Strang]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
hmm, i've never heard of those anti-spyware software.

I just use adaware and spybot

Same here.

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
hmm, i've never heard of those anti-spyware software.

I just use adaware and spybot

Same with me. They sound like some shady bastards.

 

[BW86]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
hmm, i've never heard of those anti-spyware software.

I just use adaware and spybot

me neither.
i also use spybot and adaware, and dont forget spywareblaster

 

[n0cmonkey]

Kind of like viruses that remove each other and anti-virus programs.

 

[PingSpike]

Sounds like a 3rd rate antispyware software that will quickly destroy its own ability to compete in the market.

 

[pulse8]

Originally posted by: PanzerIV

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
hmm, i've never heard of those anti-spyware software.

I just use adaware and spybot

Same with me. They sound like some shady bastards.

Ditto.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Kind of like viruses that remove each other and anti-virus programs.

Worse. When your trusted spyware vendor uninstalls this spyware, they are also uninstall a competing product (the built in spyware scanner).

With a virus, who to you take action against? With a company, like those that own spy sweeper, or ad-aware, they could get sued.

 

[Xionide]

Originally posted by: BW86

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
hmm, i've never heard of those anti-spyware software.

I just use adaware and spybot

me neither.
i also use spybot and adaware, and dont forget spywareblaster

:thumbsup:

 

[SagaLore]

A lot of the so called "spyware cleaners" are really just fronts for the spyware writers. They use popups to trick people into buying their product. Chances are that Aluria was already one of these kind of vendors. No legitimate company would ever sell their soul like this.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Kind of like viruses that remove each other and anti-virus programs.

Worse. When your trusted spyware vendor uninstalls this spyware, they are also uninstall a competing product (the built in spyware scanner).

With a virus, who to you take action against? With a company, like those that own spy sweeper, or ad-aware, they could get sued.

Don't most of those programs make you agree to a disclaimer that it may remove the functionality of some installed programs?

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Kind of like viruses that remove each other and anti-virus programs.

Worse. When your trusted spyware vendor uninstalls this spyware, they are also uninstall a competing product (the built in spyware scanner).

With a virus, who to you take action against? With a company, like those that own spy sweeper, or ad-aware, they could get sued.

Don't most of those programs make you agree to a disclaimer that it may remove the functionality of some installed programs?

Likely, however, that doesn't get around the law. If your uninstalling a competing product, your might be liable for anti-competitive violations. Imagine if IE uninstalled firefox/opera/<insert other browers>. Or if Roxio uninstalled Nero.

 

[Cerb]

I've had to clean the WhenUSearch toolbar. PURE EVIL. Only the CWS that hooks to Winlogon.exe could be worse.

 

[Schadenfroh]

for info on bad antispyware apps, see this page.