Microsoft in talks to buy adware developer

[ecross]

Microsoft Corp. has been discussing the possibility of buying a developer of adware, Claria Corp., according to reports published in U.S. newspapers Thursday. However, the deal is in danger of falling through, in part because of concerns about how such a move would be seen by the public, the reports said.

For a full story, click the following link.

http://www.itworld.com/Tech/2428/050630msadware/

[Welshjim]

Good grief!! Claria is the most recent name of Gator, as the article says. They are reviled as a source of malware. I have at least 10 gator.com sites in my HOSTS file.
If this news this true, MS, with all its recently announced moves to protect PC's from Spyware/Malware, is showing, at best, a lack of sincerity. I am really disappointed. It is to be hoped that MS will realize that its "fears" about public perception are well founded.

EDIT-- a contact at MS suggested the following article for more detail
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/30/te...tner=TOPIXNEWS
It was also suggested, that Claria "sounds like the technology could be turned to both good and evil purposes, based on the goal of such a purchase".
Geeks, ARISE!!

[usil]

I am shocked!!! Is that how M$ is rewarding the no. 1 spyware maker??? What kind of message is that gonna bring to other potential and current spyware makers!? That if they infect enough computers, they will be bought out by a multi-million $ deal from a huge IT firm! This is going to have a huge negative effect on all computer users. Spyware is going to spiral out of control (as if it already hasn't). The irony of this whole thing is that whether the deal goes through or not, M$ AntiSpyware may stop detecting Claria as Spyware. That would suit M$ as they would not want an image of a company purchasing a spyware company.
Thats not to mention that M$ will now have more information on users than anyone will want them to have.
If this goes through, it will put M$ in my black book. Unfortunately, a monopoly is a monopoly and I would have no choice but to use their damn products. But I will do everything I can to avoid using their products unneccesarily. I am simply disgusted!
Microsoft from now on, will always be M$ in my book.

[P3-450]

MS Downgrades Claria Detections

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13793423

Anyone for Linux?

[Triple7's]

Anyone for Linux?

I stopped using Windows, IE over a year ago and will never go back.
I simply grew tired of it's "target" status and constant patching needs.
When you seem to start spending as much time protecting your computer as you do actually using it productively, it's time to quit and move on.
I think the fact that MS is even considering this purchase only serves to show just how seriously they take security outside of their own.
Since retiring and only needing to keep track of my own personal properties and investments, there is absolutely nothing I need Windows for and I couldn't be happier about it.
Good riddence!

[usil]

MS Downgrades Claria Detections

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13793423

Anyone for Linux?

Heh, I feel somewhat prophetic

[liam858]

Microsoft: We're not going soft on adware maker......

Microsoft claimed: "All software is reviewed under the same objective criteria, detection policies, and analysis process. Absolutely no exceptions were made for Claria."

LINK



Liam

[usil]

The downgrade in threat level merely represented an effort to be "fair and consistent with how Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) handles similar software from other vendors", according to a statement published by Microsoft.

Not only are they lying *****, but they are also insulting our intelligence!

[liam858]

Yep, there shouldn't be a need to show any kind of fairness or whatever, its software to help Microsoft users, users that have helped them get rich, and this software is supposed to be the only thing they offer thats prevents/helps cure online risks, and it is the only thing standing between everyone of the paying users from switching to a safer OS, not doing a very good job at it though.

"We firmly believe that people should have complete control over what runs on their computers," Microsoft added.

When did we get this control, if M$ have already decided on our behalf, to let some slip through the net just because they are in bill's pocket,


Liam

[wiggero]

Know I’ am more determined to get my other box installed with Linux, I’ll give it another go to install it again, hopefully no M$ in the near future for me. How far will they go, we’ll never know. Watch out Billy