PC Pals Forum

Technical Help & Discussion => Broadband, Networking, PC Security, Internet & ISPs => Topic started by: Clive on March 14, 2005, 20:56

Title: Spyware Assassin censured for 'bogus' claims
Post by: Clive on March 14, 2005, 20:56

The Register
By John Leyden
Published Monday 14th March 2005 14:52 GMT

A firm accused of scaring punters into buying ineffective protection against spyware has been ordered to curtail its deceptive marketing claims by a US District court. The Federal Trade Commission is looking to extend this temporary injunction against Spyware Assassin into a permanent ban. The US consumer watchdog is also seeking compensation for consumers from MaxTheater, the firm behind Spyware Assassin, and Thomas L. Delanoy, its principal.

In papers filed with the US District Court for the Eastern District of Washington in Spokane, the FTC alleges that Spyware Assassin and its affiliates used websites, email, banner ads, and pop-ups to drive consumers to the Spyware Assassin website. Thereafter consumers were exposed to a series of dire warnings designed to induce people into running a "free spyware detection scan" which allegedly "detected" spyware even on clean machines.

Frightened punters were then invited to shell out $29.95 for a package called Spyware Assassin which promised to "remove all spyware programs and files" and "prevent any future breaches". According to the FTC, the "anti-spyware" software is vapourware which failed to "remove all or substantially all spyware", contrary to the defendants' claims. ®

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/14/ftc_slams_spyware_assassin/

Title: Spyware Assassin censured for 'bogus' claims
Post by: Simon on March 14, 2005, 22:22

Is that what Lona nearly got caught out with?  Can't find the thread now.   :?

Title: Spyware Assassin censured for 'bogus' claims
Post by: Sandra on March 15, 2005, 00:10

Sounds like it Simon  :(

Title: Spyware Assassin censured for 'bogus' claims
Post by: Lona on March 15, 2005, 00:27

It wasn't that one Simon, it was the one that came with the xray thingy that Clive posted about. It was on the same site as the free xray file.

Title: Spyware Assassin censured for 'bogus' claims
Post by: Simon on March 15, 2005, 08:16

Well, I wouldn't trust anything Clive posts anyway!  :blahh:  :grin:

What's happened to your sig?   :?

Title: Spyware Assassin censured for 'bogus' claims
Post by: Clive on March 15, 2005, 12:42

Probably Mozilla Simon.  Works fine in Avant.   :heehee:

Title: Spyware Assassin censured for 'bogus' claims
Post by: Simon on March 15, 2005, 16:37

Quote from: "Clive"

Probably Mozilla Simon.  Works fine in Avant.   :heehee:

You mean IE with a new coat!  :wahh: :blahh: :sanity:  :grin: