Anti-Spyware Coalition Still Alive

Later this month, I will be getting together in our nations capital with a number of our friends to discuss that state of spyware. The Anti-Spyware Coalition is holding the event which will consist of various moderated panels.

• User Behavior and Spyware


• Anti-Spyware Liability


• Is Adware Dead?


• CSI Spyware: Can Investigators Stay Ahead of the Bad Guys?


• Education: What Works and What Doesn’t?

The event is open to the public but a $250 admission fee is required unless you’re connected to the government or educational institution. For more information go to http://antispywarecoalition.org/events/jan2008.php

I’ve attended a number of events like this in the past and they’ve all been extremely successful. While the panels can be informative the behind the scenes dinners and informal meetings really make a difference. Every time I’ve gotten together with other good guys it has resulted in an avalanche of information sharing. It also motivates me to get off my butt and continue to make a difference. I’ve been trying to come up with the next big change to WinPatrol and I suspect this meeting will spark an idea.

I’ve posted photos and made mention here of half the planned panel members. There are a few I haven’t met in person yet so I’m really looking forward to this months event. You can click the link above to get a list of who will be participating.

Other references:

CSI Spyware: Better than the TV Show (PaperGhost)
Antispyware Coalition: The History and Future of Spyware (Donna)
Save the date: Anti-Spyware Coalition public workshop (stopBADware.org)

Direct Revenue Wasn't a Better Internet

I’ve had a lot to celebrate this month. I have a new grand niece, Ella Grace Pytlovany born Oct 11th. On October 15^th our nephew John returned from his 2^nd long tour in Iraq. Today, I received the good news that Direct Revenue LLC and Best Offers Networks have ceased operations.

The folks behind “A Better Internet” and MyPCTuneUp.com were well known for invading and taking over PC’s without a users knowledge or permission. In April 2006, New York State sued Direct Revenue and I reported on the results here in my post, “Death Threats for A Better Internet “. These guys knew all the tricks and showed no mercy yet, they thought it was a legitimate business model.

Last years lawsuit included relief and penalties from, the company's founders and chief officers Joshua Abram, Alan Murray, Daniel Kaufman, and Rodney Hook. It will be interesting if these names appear in any new companies or if they’ve learned anything from past consumer responses to their dastardly deeds.

Thanks to researcher Ben Edelman, Assistant Attorney General Justin Brookman and all the others who spent time and resources to expose these guys.