States join Spyware- Adware battle

[Linda Buquet]

States join spyware battle
Last modified: March 4, 2004, 4:34 PM PST
By John Borland
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

The drive to control "spyware" and other software that hijacks personal computers without owners' permission is spreading to state legislatures, turning up pressure on PC pests.

Late on Wednesday, Utah apparently became the first state to pass a law regulating spyware and other advertising software, although the bill has yet to be signed by the governor. Lawmakers in Iowa and California also have introduced their own spyware control proposals in the past several weeks....

...The bill also bars "context based" tools from triggering unrelated advertisements based on visiting Web sites on a certain topic, as happened to the contact lens company.

http://news.com.com/2100-1024_3-5170263.html?tag=cd_lede

[MarketingMama]

and it's about time. I think this type of activity is the lowest. People work hard to build their sites and a lot of us design with different affiliate programs in mind that will enhance the site. To me people who steal on the internet or spy, should be dealt with as severely as if they were stealing from your home or spying in your window. It's very disturbing.

MarketingMama


P.S. Please keep us updated on this topic!

[Linda Buquet]

Here is another article on the subject:

New bill aims to shine light on spyware
By Erica Hill
CNN Headline News
Wednesday, March 3, 2004 Posted: 5:02 PM EST (2202 GMT)

(CNN) -- If you've ever wondered how software got on your computer, and spent even more time wondering how to get it off, chances are you've encountered spyware.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/03/03/hln.wired.spyware

Looks like there is at least a movement started to try to address the issues.

What do you think???

[MarketingMama]

Not tough enough, I mean why are they tip towing around the issue (oops we are talking about politians here :-) )

To me it sounds like they have a new buzz word to play with and any laws at this point are going to be weak. A couple of big lawsuits will have to happen and then maybe we will get some real laws in place.

I'm still happy to see that the issues are being brought to the attention of law makers ... even if they don't enact a tough line at this point, it may put some fear into those who participate in this activity.

MarketingMama

[mushroom]

Yes it about time.
But if you truely wish to remove the problem . Ban all windows based computers from the internet. I switched to SuSE linux for all my internet activity 2 years ago and have never disapionted. Viruses Worms, and Spyware seem to be ONLY A WINDOWS PROBLEM!!!

[oldmaid]

hello all
We had linux for a while long ago. But we are back to windows. I hate adware. The only way to get it off my pc is to boot it in safe mode and chase the file down. My virus scan says it’s a virus and will not get rid of it. Do you all have any suggestions?
Thanks
old maid

[ppayne]

Yes, this is another reason to be a Mac user. We run our company on nothing but Macs, with two or three PCs for software development and testing. I've watched as our direct competitors got infected with viruses and what not and gone down for weeks at a time -- meanwhile, we've never (knock on wood) had a day of down time in 7 years. I believe that any business owner should stop by their local Apple store and explore their offerings. Even if immunity to spyware/viruses that work on Windows were the only reason, which it isn't.

[OneMoreBite]

Now here's a band wagon I'd jump on! I've always thought it was pitiful when clueless new Internet users can screw up their brand-spanking new computers within a matter of days simply because they innocently click on banners which proclaim, "Speed up Your Computer," and the like. There aught to be a law.

Scumware, Spyware, whatever you call it, it's just plain wrong for any software to install itself with no warning, and no way to stop it. I'm very, very careful and yet I've landed on pages which suddenly launched installation scripts. I've seen popups which have been coded so no matter which button you choose, it's going to install anyway, and I've seen windows with no choice but the "Yes" button. The first thing I teach people is: Close all popup windows with Ctrl - F4, and don't click on them at all.

We need strong criminal penalities starting with those scripts which install without permission or hijack your home page. Perhaps bringing down the sites that host them is a start, although they'll just move to the next host.

It's a sad place when we have to send all new computer users to Internet Boot Camp to learn how to protect themselves in cyberspace. It's a jungle out there.

Kathryn

[spamvirushelp]

Hi,

Just a quick note to say that I've got reviews and links to several excellent free spyware removal utilities on my web site.

http://www.SpamVirusHelp.com/free-spyware.html

Cheers!

Greg

[OneMoreBite]

Thanks for the link, Greg.

Your URL was incorrect. Here is the correct one:
http://www.spamvirushelp.com/free-spyware-removal.html

Kathryn

[MarketingMama]

http://www.download.com/ they have many shareware programs you can download absolutely free and they work fine.

Also, in regard to Linux, I agree it's a nice little operating system however; Windows has been around a lot longer and has had time to build a bad reputation. Give Linux a chance to grow and experience the same growing pains Windows has. The people who participate in this type of activity just want to cause problems because that's fun to them ... warped but whatever turns your cranks eh? Anyway, once they find that Linux is becoming more popular you will have some of the same circumstances start to arise unfortunately.

We need to keep bringing this type of activity to the attention of law makers and people who can do something about it not switch operating systems (unless of course you just prefer to) ... people should be allowed to use their computers without the treat of others invading or stealing from them.

Until things really start to change and this activity is haulted we need to keep reporting abuse and take precautionary steps to protect our systems.

MarketingMama