AntiSpyware Advertising Gets Nasty

Earlier this month I left a comment on an entry in the SunbeltBLOG regarding “Ethics and antispyware”   Sunbelt’s President Alex Eckelberry made some good points on how reputable companies have an impossible time competing for online advertising.

Since that April 2nd post things have really gotten out of hand. First, Webroot Software was contacting existing customers of Sunbelt Software, claiming they had a much better and more effective solution.  Like there aren’t enough new customers out there?

This week Enigma Software came out with a press release attacking a number of online help forums who have complained about the spamming of fake messages being left by folks pushing Enigma’s SpyHunter.

Today, while searching CNet I found an interesting ad section where two companies appear to be openly fighting against each other.  Except for the PC Tools ad, I wouldn’t recommend going to either of the other sites even though CNet allows them as advertisers. 

I’m pretty confident, both Spywarebot ads are from the same company who have a couple dozen AntiSpyware products available under different names and domains.  Neither are related to the popular “Spybot, Search and Destroy” program.  I also found an advertisement for another fake “spyware remover review” site on a nice page CNet created called “How to use WinPatrol”. 

Thank god for reviews from real people and from editors because it’s the only way quality, legitimate products will survive.