Spyware deletes other Spyware/Adware

[KurtNYC]

http://news.com.com/Adware+cannibals+feast+on+each+other/2100-1024_3-5482276.html

Companies that use free software downloads to target Web surfers with annoying ads are turning on each other to keep customers--and the cash they generate--for themselves.

The tactic is in the spotlight in a little-noticed legal dispute unfolding in Seattle. Caribbean-based ad company Avenue Media last month accused New York-based DirectRevenue of using competing software to detect and delete Avenue Media's Internet Optimizer program from its customers' computers.

According to the Nov. 24 complaint, DirectResponse's software detects Internet Optimizer and then sends a command to "kill" the program, a process that deletes its files from the PC registry and from the computer altogether. Avenue Media said DirectRevenue's tactics have caused it to lose about 1 million customers--about half its installed base--and as much as $10,000 a day in revenue.

This lawsuit is like asking the police to give out speeding tickets to competing drivers at the Indy 500.

[ibegurpard]

1. I HATE these fuckers!

There should be no way that a program can be installed on your computer without your FULL and EXPRESS consent and knowledge. Sorry, but fine print in a websites privacy section just doesn't cut it.
I do EVERYTHING I can to prevent this stuff and I still end up with a few.

[leftyandproud]

9. How to KILL Spyware

looks like this is going to be a popular post...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2130129#2139922

[7th_Sephiroth]

2. this shit ought to be illegal in the first place

i say someone sue them both and make it a crime for what they do, punishable by castration if at all possible

[JohnyCanuck]

3. But that would let female spammers off the hook. n/t

[7th_Sephiroth]

4. ummm, mastectomies

heh heh heh

[Beacho]

5. Fire wall It, Baby!

free for non enterprise, personal use

http://smb.sygate.com/download_buy.htm

I also recommend Mozilla firefox, to block pop ups that can be used to install crap.

http://www.spreadfirefox.com/


And lastly, the best free virus software that I've found yet

http://www.avast.com/

All you have to do is register it every three months or so. Automatically downloads up dates. No fuss, no muss

[Up2Late]

6. BOOOOHOOOOHOOO Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

I love it! SpyWare/AdWare People, BURN in HELL! :evilgrin:

Here's a TIP.

SpySweeper. "Webroot SpySweeper" ROCKS!!!!!!!:yourock:

I tried other Spyware killers (Spy Subtract and AdAware 6) but SpySweeper IS the best. When I started using SpySweeper this summer, I scanned and found the previously mentioned programs had missed more than 50 bits and pieces that SpySweeper found and killed.

SpySweeper also has "Shields" that stop Spyware in "real-time." Last time this happened, I knew I had just loaded spyware BEFORE I even finished loading it.:headbang:

Full discosure, I also use Mozilla FireFox 1.0, and AdSubtract and I'm behind a router Firewall, and Microsoft's SP2 Firewall. I sucks that we have to goto this much trouble to stop these motherF*ckers, but Cable Modems come at a price too.

[fishwax]

7. Not much sympathy

They should all be run out of business anyway.

[proud patriot]

8. Spyware wars ..Wheeeeeeeeee !

they deserve each other