AdAware database now includes "SpyHunter"

Hey all I thought this might interest some of you. Below is a copy of Lavasoft news letter issue 1.9, dated 1. July, 2004. It's a little long but worth the read.
Bill.
SpyHunter now included in Ad-aware's database
By Åsa Karlsson - Content Manager
Enigma Software Group Inc. is the company behind the SpyHunter software. They claim that “Our suites are built to address the need of privacy protection and computer security. We empower internet users to take control over their computers against Spyware, parasites, SPAM, and others obtaining your personal information online!” However, what’s not disclosed is the hidden transmission of the Microsoft Windows Product ID to their servers every time their software checks for an update. They also uniquely identify their users by use of a unique ID for each installation. This unique ID is also sent to their servers undisclosed. This is something we at Lavasoft find highly questionable and unethical.
Enigma Software Group also uses questionable methods to market their software SpyHunter. Their pop-up ads resemble virus alerts from well-known anti-virus programs, and DOS windows displaying fake scan results.
The pop-up ads can be found here:
http://www2.enigmasoftwaregroup.com/TMP/1.htm
http://www2.enigmasoftwaregroup.com/TMP/2.htm
http://www2.enigmasoftwaregroup.com/TMP/3.htm
http://www2.enigmasoftwaregroup.com/TMP/4.htm
and here (mirrored site):
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Internet users are tricked into believing their computers are infected with “a spyware virus” and that they must download and scan their computers with SpyHunter to get rid of it. The SpyHunter scanner is free to download, but in order to remove these items, the software must be purchased.
Earlier this year the so-called anti-spyware software SpyBan was removed from the website Download.com because adware was installed along with the software. According to News.com SpyBan “ had failed to disclose and explain all the software components included in its installation, a violation of the Web site's policies”.
Enigma Software Group’s End User Licence Agreement does not contain information about SpyHunter transmitting a client id or the Product ID of the Microsoft Windows Operating System. That is why we at Lavasoft hope that SpyHunter will be removed from the Download.com website soon.
Why SpyHunter has been added to Ad-aware's database
While some may claim adding SpyHunter to Ad-aware’s database is an attempt to defame a competitor, our users trust us with protecting their privacy, and when another company is doing the very thing they’re claiming to help protect against, Ad-aware is there to ensure our users’ privacy isn’t deceptively violated.
All items added to Ad-aware’s database are qualified using a Threat Assessment Chart (TAC) prior to inclusion. The system is based on a total of 10 points, 1 being the least and 10 being the most threatening and/or problematic. Behavior and intent weigh more heavily towards becoming a legitimate detection than do the technical aspects. Please note that applications that are difficult to remove and cause system instability due to poor coding and DO NOT contain any further violations as described below ARE NOT considered for inclusion in the Ad- aware database.
Points are added according to the following criteria:
Removal – One Point
Integration – Two Points
Distribution – Two Points
Behavior – Three Points
Privacy – Two Points
An application requires a TAC number of three or higher to be included in the database.
More information about the TAC can be found on the Threat Assessment Chart page.
SpyHunter from Enigma Software Group Inc. has received a TAC level of four and has been added to the database. The TAC level was determined using the following information:
Removal – No Points Received
This item does not have any characteristics which match those defined in the Removal section.
Integration – No Points Received
This item does not have any characteristics which match those defined in the Removal section.
Distribution – Two Points Received
This item’s End User Licence Agreement (EULA) does not contain information pertaining to the transmission of a client id or the Product ID of the Microsoft Windows Operating System.
This transmission is not disclosed in the EULA. More information about this transmission can be found in the Privacy section.
Behavior – No Points Received
This item does not have any characteristics which match those defined in the Removal section.
Privacy – Two Points Received
This item transmits the Product ID of the Microsoft Windows Operating System. This ID is transmitted as part of the update check process.
MemScanner is the memory-resident portion of Enigma.SpyHunter. This component transmits a Unique ID during its update process.

 

Oh, by the way, from the 'User-Interface-Ripoff-of-the-Day", we have this little gem; look familiar???
You know . . . it does remind me of another app. Hmmmm . . . wonder which one Man, there's some scummy characters out there aren't there?

 

Blinking heck! Thats awful! Reminds me of when we saw an almost exact copy of MG, but with different colours, and files linked to the same places!

 

Ummmmm...

http://www.majorgeeks.com/vb/showthread.php?t=33893

 

Oh all right, Mr. Smarty Pants Should have known someone had beat me to it.Thanks Alan.
Bill