06-02-04 03:52 PM
Is it ethical that Ad Aware includes it's competitor SpyHunter in it's
database?
If what they claim is right - in The Eyes - i'm happy that they do,..
But it does make me wonder where this will lead... and when it will
lead to abuse by others who also claim to block competitors for
ethical reasons.
I tend to trust AdAware... no question about that.
Ad Aware wrote:
<AdAware>
Enigma Software Group Inc. is the company behind the SpyHunter
software. They claim that “Our suites are built to address the need of
privacy protection and computer security. We empower internet users to
take control over their computers against Spyware, parasites, SPAM,
and others obtaining your personal information online!” However,
what’s not disclosed is the hidden transmission of the Microsoft
Windows Product ID to their servers every time their software checks
for an update. They also uniquely identify their users by use of a
unique ID for each installation. This unique ID is also sent to their
servers undisclosed. This is something we at Lavasoft find highly
questionable and unethical.
Enigma Software Group also uses questionable methods to market their
software SpyHunter. Their pop-up ads resemble virus alerts from
well-known anti-virus programs, and DOS windows displaying fake scan
results.
Internet users are tricked into believing their computers are infected
with “a spyware virus” and that they must download and scan their
computers with SpyHunter to get rid of it. The SpyHunter scanner is
free to download, but in order to remove these items, the software
must be purchased.
Earlier this year the so-called anti-spyware software SpyBan was
removed from the website Download.com because adware was installed
along with the software. According to News.com SpyBan “had failed to
disclose and explain all the software components included in its
installation, a violation of the Web site's policies”.
Enigma Software Group’s End User Licence Agreement does not contain
information about SpyHunter transmitting a client id or the Product ID
of the Microsoft Windows Operating System. That is why we at Lavasoft
hope that SpyHunter will be removed from the Download.com website
soon.
Why SpyHunter has been added to Ad-aware's database
While some may claim adding SpyHunter to Ad-aware’s database is an
attempt to defame a competitor, our users trust us with protecting
their privacy, and when another company is doing the very thing
they’re claiming to help protect against, Ad-aware is there to ensure
our users’ privacy isn’t deceptively violated.
All items added to Ad-aware’s database are qualified using a Threat
Assessment Chart (TAC) prior to inclusion. The system is based on a
total of 10 points, 1 being the least and 10 being the most
threatening and/or problematic. Behavior and intent weigh more heavily
towards becoming a legitimate detection than do the technical aspects.
Please note that applications that are difficult to remove and cause
system instability due to poor coding and DO NOT contain any further
violations as described below ARE NOT considered for inclusion in the
Ad-aware database.
</AdAware>
--
www.nondisputandum.com
Protect, clean, tools, office, webbuilding
newsfeeds, entertainment, searching
+ the internet addiction test!
[ Post a follow-up to this message ]
| 
