Looks as though the FTC has broken up a spyware ring
A bit of good news on the spyware front, the FTC has announced that it’s frozen the assets of a spyware ring. Apparently they spread spyware through a network of sites and blogs that pushed ringtones, lyrics, and pictures. Good to see some progress made against spyware pushers….
According to the complaint against the company….
The agency’s complaint alleges that “the defendants’ software code tracks consumers’ Internet comings and goings; changes consumers’ preferred home page settings; inserts new toolbars onto consumers’ browsers; inserts a large side “frame”or “window” onto consumers’ browser windows that in turn displays ads; and displays pop-up ads on consumers’ computer screens, even when consumers’ Internet browsers are not activated.
“In addition, the agency alleges that once the spyware is loaded on consumers’ computers, it interferes with the functioning of the computer and is difficult for consumers to uninstall or remove.”
Further coverage at Spyware confidential, where a user had commented about what looked like a raid at the offices of Enternet Media, which is the target of the FTC complaint. Searchmiracle/elitebar is the main nasty they’ve spread.
Even further coverage at the sunbeltblog
Chalk up one against spyware…