Spyware

Mac Trojan

October 31, 2007

Mac users who practice unsafe hex will find more than they bargained for. From Intego: Exploit: OSX.RSPlug.A Trojan Horse Discovered: October 30, 2007 Risk: Critical OSX.RSPlug.A Trojan Horse Changes Local DNS Settings to Redirect to Malicious DNS Servers Description: A malicious Trojan Horse has been found on several pornography web sites, claiming to install a [...]

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DirectRevenue-Best Offers, shut down

October 24, 2007

Posted on its home page and giving no reason for the sudden closure. Best Offers and Direct Revenue have ceased operations. To service legacy consumers we are maintaining this page of uninstall instructions, an uninstall software tool, and an email based support service. By most accounts DirectRevenue made a lot of money off unsuspecting users.

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Zango purchases Smart Shopper

October 23, 2007

TechCrunch reported today that Zango has purchased Smart Shopper Networks, a browser based comparison shopping engine previously owned by New York based HotBar Inc. Alex Eckelberry: So what’s the motivation behind Zango’s acquistion of SmartShopper? It’s worth noting that Zango is primarily gaining new users through Seekmo, its porn branch. In other words, new user [...]

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FTC Permanently Halts Media Motor Spyware Scam

October 1, 2007

Press release October 1, 2007. Trojan Program Downloaded Spyware, Adware, Porno Pop-Ups to Consumers’ Computers Operators who infected more than 15 million computers with destructive, intrusive spyware will give up $330,000 in ill-gotten gains from their venture to settle FTC charges that their scam violated federal law. The settlement will bar the defendants from downloading [...]

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Ben Edelman Alleges Zango in Violation of FTC Agreement

July 31, 2007

Among the allegations: Widespread Zango “ActiveX” Installations without Unavoidable, Prominent Disclosure of Material Terms (XP SP1 and Earlier). Details. Widespread Zango Banner-Based Installations without Unavoidable, Prominent Disclosure of Material Terms (XP SP2). Details. Ongoing Zango Installations with No Disclosure Whatsoever. Details. Unlabeled Zango Ads – Toolbars, Desktop Icons, and Pop-Ups. Details. Zango Ads for Bogus [...]

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ComScore Doesn’t Always Get User Consent

June 29, 2007

Spyware Researcher Ben Edelman published an article today regarding ComScore’s recent multiple RelevantKnowledge installations that occur without user consent. Article and Video

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FBI Takes Down botnet

June 13, 2007

ABC News reports the FBI has identified 1 million computer addresses that have been hacked by criminals who hijack other people’s computers, turn them into servers and use them to send out massive amounts of spam and spyware. Story abcNews

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House Passes Spyware Bill H.R. 964

June 7, 2007

The House passed another cyber-security bill that would allow for civil penalties of up to $3,000,000. H.R. 964: Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act or Spy Act. Makes it unlawful for any person who is not the owner or authorized user (user) of a protected computer (a computer exclusively for the use of a [...]

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Zango Tango

June 5, 2007

Technology & Marketing Law Blog: Zango’s Busy Litigation Docket PC Tools & Kaspersky Responses to Zango Lawsuit Zango Also Loses Kaspersky TRO Motion Vitalsecurity: Rogue Security Applications Being Pushed On Myspace

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Valueclick continues ties with Malware Winfixer

May 31, 2007

Microsoft MVP Sandi Hardmeier writes: Mike Burgess was hopeful that Valueclick had cut ties with Winfixer. Unfortunately I have definitive proof that this is NOT the case. Article: http://msmvps.com/blogs/spywaresucks/archive/2007/05/31/935905.aspx

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