by certifiedbug on May 19, 2007
in Security
PC Tools spokeswoman Magida Ezzat:
We believe the proceedings are an attempt by Zango to influence our
reclassification process. Prior to the lawsuit we were well into an
in-depth review and reclassification of the latest versions of Zango
products; Seekmo Search Assistant, Zango Search Assistant and Hotbar
products which were released after the FTC ruling against Zango. These
new versions received a new classification of “Potentially Unwanted
Products” and are to be updated in the Spyware Doctor database in the
next few days.
We advised Zango of this imminent re-rating and we believe they have
chosen to lodge these proceedings as a way to gain media attention of
the review. PC Tools has a stringent review and classification process
and will not be influenced or pressured into compromising this process
regardless of the threat of legal proceedings. Zango’s older products,
including 180 Solutions Search Assistant, will remain unchanged at their
higher threat levels and should Zango’s newly reclassified products
revert to previous behaviors PC Tools will not hesitate to reclassify
them to a higher level if justified.
PC Tools believes the proceedings are without merit and will vigorously
defend them.
Source: CSO
The Complaint. PDF
More coverage:
Sunbelt Blog Alex Eckelberry,
Both Eric Howes and I loaded the PC Tools Started Edition last night and found no such evidence that Zango is deleted without specific warning.
We have offered PC Tools any forensic documentation or assistance they may need in their efforts to defend themselves.
by certifiedbug on April 20, 2007
in Security
Quote of the day from Paperghost at VitalSecurity:
“Desktop advertising used to be a free-for-all,” said Christine Varney, a partner in Hogan & Hartson LLP’s Washington, D.C. office and a featured speaker at ad:tech San Francisco. “It’s not anymore. Thanks to the efforts of the Federal Trade Commission, the New York attorney general’s office, TRUSTe and, most recently, the reintroduction of federal anti-spyware legislation, those days are behind us. Simply put, there’s never been a better time for advertisers to venture into the desktop advertising arena.”
Market Wire Press Release:
Online Media Company to ‘Blanket’ Advertisers With Opportunities at Interactive Advertising Event
Ms. Varney is a former FTC Commissioner and currently head of the Internet practice group at Hogan & Hartson. She also serves on the Board of Directors of TRUSTe. Her clients have included eBay, Fox Interactive Media/MySpace, Zango, DoubleClick, Advertising.com, Netscape, and RealNetworks.
internetnews
Zango’s attorney, former FTC Commissioner Christine Varney, said the company fully cooperated with the FTC investigation, providing the agency with than one million documents.
dmnews
The complaint named the company and two of its principals, Mr. Smith and Daniel Todd. Attorney Christine A. Varney, a partner with Hogan & Hartson and an FTC commissioner from 1994 to 1997, represented Zango.
She includes ‘former FTC Commissioner’ on her resume when she is now a Zango advocate?
Is she trying to infer the FTC condones Zango? Who is Christine Varney
by certifiedbug on December 9, 2006
in Security
Ben Edelman and Eric Howes:
Update December 8: Our follow-up comment to the FTC discusses additional concerns, further ongoing bad practices at Zango, and the special difficulty of enforcement in light of practices seemingly not prohibited by the proposed settlement.
Additional Comments on Improper Zango Practices. (PDF)
Article
by certifiedbug on December 1, 2006
in Security
Zango’s Founder and CEO Keith Smith was interviewed by Thomas Claburn of InformationWeek.
When InformationWeek asked what had been going on with the FTC, Keith Smith said:
It’s a great thing for us. It’s a great thing for the industry. For the first time, we have the federal government coming out and saying specifically yes, we do think that in order to install software on a user’s computer you should use plain language, notice, and consent, and there are the rules around that. So this is something that we’ve been doing since the beginning of the year, and it’s been a long process to get to the point where we could do that consistently in every single case. So we think it’s a good thing.
That strikes me as an odd statement, maybe the FTC should throw a few more 3 million dollar fines their way and make Zango really happy.
InformationWeek posed the question:
Have you resolved Ben Edelman’s recent complaint that Zango isn’t complying with the terms of its FTC settlement?
To which Smith responded:
I will say this: There are people, and I won’t identify anyone specifically, but if you look at the loud detractors of us in particular—not of the space, because spyware is a problem—but the loud detractors of Zango, most of them, if not all of them, have a direct financial benefit to continue to churn out fear about us and about this space. Whether they’re selling software or consulting services, they have a direct financial incentive to make us look bad.
That really doesn’t sound too bright coming from a CEO.
Ben Edelman and Eric Howes: Bad Practices Continue at Zango Just the facts Sir, just the facts.
Paperghost’s response to the interview.
by certifiedbug on November 20, 2006
in Security
By Ben Edelman and Eric Howes
November 20, 2006
Earlier this month, the FTC announced the proposed settlement of its investigation into Zango, makers of advertising software widely installed onto users’ computers without their consent or without their informed consent (among other bad practices).
We commend the proposed settlement’s core terms. But despite these strong provisions, bad practices continue at Zango — practices that, in our judgment, put Zango in violation of the key terms and requirements of the FTC settlement.
Full article
by certifiedbug on November 7, 2006
in Security
November 6, 2006
Websense Security Labs reports:
Malicious Website / Malicious Code: Fradulent You Tube video on MySpace installing Zango Cash
Websense® Security LabsTM has discovered a number of user pages on the MySpace domain which have videos that look like they are from You Tube. The videos have an installer embedded within them for the Zango Cash Toolbar.
Screenshots
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined adware purveyor ‘Zango’ (formerly 180Solutions) three million dollars for deceptive installations of Zango’s pop-up software on users computers and trying to prevent those users from uninstalling it; a violation of federal law.
FTC File No. 052 3130
For Release: November 3, 2006
Zango, Inc. Settles FTC Charges
Zango agreed to the Federal Trade Commission settlement without admitting guilt.
ReveNews reports:
Spyware researcher Ben Edelman says he has proof that Zango hasn’t really cleaned up its act and that he’ll post his proof in the coming weeks.
In the aftermath of a privacy breach, AOL’s chief technology officer has left the company.
In an memo sent to staff, AOL Chief Executive Jonathan Miller said the company was taking steps to prevent such an incident happening again.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission accusing AOL of breaking a promise to protect its subscribers’ privacy.
Seattle Times Article
