Why Is AntiSpyware Going Easy On Claria?
Recent reports have Microsoft looking to buy spyware kings Claria, maker of Gator software, considered to be the largest spyware company in the world. So why is Microsoft AntiSpyware going easy on Claria products?
This according to Sunbelt, who I’ve mentioned previously has access to AntiSpyware’s definition files as part of a previous agreement with GIANT, whose AntiSpyware program became Microsoft’s when they were bought out late last year. Sunbelt examined Microsoft’s definitions and found that Claria products Gator, Dashbar, PrecisionTime and Weatherscope had been downgraded on March 31 from a recommendation of “Quarantine” to “Ignore”.
It is still simple to change the setting to “Quarantine” or “Remove”, but many users will likely leave it alone, and thus leave the obvious spyware products alone. eWeek says:
In addition to the Gator-branded products, Claria’s adware applications include eWallet, DateManager, WeatherScope and PrecisionTime. The company’s behavior-tracking database of users’ surfing habits is believed to be among the biggest in the world.
Sunbelt’s blog says that although Microsoft’s definitions recommend “Ignore”, the definitions they send out to their own customers have been modified to default to “Quarantine”. Smart, since Gator’s products are so clearly spyware, and the program is supposed to be called AntiSpyware. March 31 seems too far back to be related to any rumored Microsoft/Claria purchase, so what’s the deal? If Microsoft wants to claim to be serious about security, they can’t be soft on some of the worst offendors. So what gives?
Of course, in almost exactly two years Sunbelt’s deal with GIANT expires. They lose Microsoft’s definitions in 7/07.
(via Slashdot)
UPDATE: The AntiSpyware team responds.
(via Marc Orchant)
