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Spy vs. Spy
Boston Globe ^ | April 24, 2006 | Hiawatha Bray

Posted on 04/24/2006 3:39:20 PM PDT by MassRepublicanFlyersFan

Bill Day wants a second chance.

Day is chief executive of WhenU.com Inc., a New York advertising company that used to smuggle its ''spyware" computer programs onto millions of Internet computers. Spyware programs have long infuriated Internet users by installing themselves without permission, generating a flood of unwanted pop-up advertisements, and even preventing users from uninstalling the offending programs.

''That's the legacy that we're trying to overcome," Day said. Battered by public outrage, WhenU hired Day in late 2004 to chart a new course for the company.

Spyware is a $2 billion industry, according to Internet infrastructure and security company VeriSign Inc. But the enemies of spyware are on the march, and Day and some of his competitors say that Internet advertising companies have a small window of opportunity to change, or die.

(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: ads; adware; computers; frauds; internet; malware; parasites; spyware; technology
Is WebRoot Spy Sweeper adequate?
1 posted on 04/24/2006 3:39:23 PM PDT by MassRepublicanFlyersFan
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
Congress is working on legislation to crack down on spyware...

That ought to bring all kinds of bribes...uh, "campaign contributions?"...to our congressmen. I wonder if they are really working to protect us or just to raise money.

2 posted on 04/24/2006 3:45:38 PM PDT by FreePaul
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

Adequate for what? It (nor any other single program) shouldn't be the only form of protection against intrusive or malicious malware, if that's what you mean.


3 posted on 04/24/2006 3:53:20 PM PDT by Turbopilot (Nothing in the above post is or should be construed as legal research, analysis, or advice.)
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To: Turbopilot

Yeah, for protection. I have that and SpyBot.


4 posted on 04/24/2006 3:59:30 PM PDT by MassRepublicanFlyersFan
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan
I wonder if anti-spyware makers are a good investment. With these guys around, the anti-spyware companies have a wonderful future.


5 posted on 04/24/2006 4:01:13 PM PDT by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)
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To: darkwing104
Image Hosted by The Image Hosting
6 posted on 04/24/2006 4:03:39 PM PDT by ARealMothersSonForever (Political troglodyte with a partisan axe to grind)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

Do you have firewall and/or antivirus software? What web browser and operating system version do you use? Do you have a broadband internet connection and, if so, is your PC plugged directly into the cable/DSL modem or do you have a separate router?


7 posted on 04/24/2006 4:03:47 PM PDT by Turbopilot (Nothing in the above post is or should be construed as legal research, analysis, or advice.)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

>Congress is working on legislation to crack down on >spyware...

Like they cracked down on spam.


8 posted on 04/24/2006 4:09:35 PM PDT by Joe Bfstplk (I am going to be assertive...If that is OK with you.)
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

I think it also helps to only get on the net when you are in "Guest" mode. That way they can't get to your registry.


9 posted on 04/24/2006 4:11:29 PM PDT by wastoute
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To: Turbopilot

Earlier this month, I switched to Verizon DSL through an AOL upgrade. I have Webroot SpySweeper and SpyBot (via an AOL download). PC is plugged into the modem.


10 posted on 04/24/2006 4:31:27 PM PDT by MassRepublicanFlyersFan
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To: MassRepublicanFlyersFan

I am on a router and have Windows Defender and AVG Anti virus (both Free) running. I get an occasional Java/Open Stream virus Identified which I remove.


11 posted on 04/24/2006 4:49:47 PM PDT by UB355
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