FTC Says Anti-Spyware Vendor Shut Down

Reuters ^ | Mar 11 2005 | Reuters

[pickemuphere]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A software vendor that tried to drum up sales by offering to clean up nonexistent computer "spyware" has been temporarily shut down, U.S. regulators said on Friday.

The makers of Spyware Assassin tried to scare consumers into buying software through pop-up ads and e-mail that warned their computers had been infected with malicious monitoring software, the Federal Trade Commission said.

Free spyware scans offered by Spokane, Washington-based MaxTheater Inc. turned up evidence of spyware even on machines that were entirely clean, and its $29.95 Spyware Assassin program did not actually remove spyware, the FTC said.

A U.S. court has ordered the company and its owner, Thomas Delanoy, to suspend its activities until a court hearing on Tuesday. The company could be required to give back all the money it made from selling Spyware Assassin.

MaxTheater could not be reached for comment.

[pickemuphere]

Looks like Drudge will have to find a new advertiser..

[Crazieman]

Next step is to smack University of Phoenix upside the head over their ads.

[thoughtomator]

Now we need to amend the Constitution to allow cruel and unusual punishment for these kinds of crooks.

[since1868]

One down a million to go.

[hflynn]

There is a lot of other companies out there playing the same game. I was glad to see Microsoft get more proactive in dealing with these clowns. I recommend you download a free copy of Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta1). Microsoft also appears to have an arrangement with CA to get free downloads of WZ Anti-Virus and EZ Firewall.

[hflynn]

Make that EZ Anti-Virus.

[HighFlier]

At least it was really anti-spyware. I always assumed that if you clicked on it, you would end up getting spyware installed on your computer.

[Thebaddog]

I've blocked out the UofPh by going into the browser tools menu and editing them into the block list in the privacy window.

[pickemuphere]

Spyware is no different than a stranger coming into your house and damaging your computer. We need to prosecute these cases hardcore.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Silly old me I BOUGHT spy assassin, and it pretty much crashed my computer.

Now I use spybot and adaware.

[hflynn]

In the meantime . . . . . . .

[hflynn]

Now I use spybot and adaware

I used to use Ad-aware SE but alot of the new spyware is able to regenerate after you think Ad-aware SE has removed it.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

What do you use now?

[hflynn]

See post #5. 1 thing Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta1) requires Windows XP.

[newfreep]

I also used Adaware until I tried Spy Sweeper (Webroot) that removed far many more. The problem I have now is it takes 140 minutes for Spy Sweeper to run, even in stand alone mode with nothing else running. I note it "only" takes 40 minutes when running in safe mode (Win XP).

Any thoughts anyone?

[FreePaul]

My how we have benefitted from technology. I remember a similar scam sixty years ago with free termite inspections. Slightly different method with almost the same results. The "termite inspectors" had taken their craft to a higher plane though.

The "termite treatment" scam had a follow up for those deemed to be really gullible. They had a second "termite inspector" come by and offer his service. When told that they had already had a service they were told that the last guy was a notorious crook and it would take extensive treatment to correct his work. Believe it or not I knew people who were taken by both of these or scams or the one continuing scam if you prefer.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

This computer (laptop) has ME, my office dowstairs has XP.

[hflynn]

Whoops! some versions of Windows 2000 will also support Beta1.

Here is the exact OS requirements:

Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000, Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Windows 2000 Professional Edition , Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows XP Home Edition , Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional Edition , Windows XP Service Pack 1, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

dowstairs = downstairs. Proofreading is our friend.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Thanks!