spyware software review 2005

THE_CANADIAN · Jul 12, 2005

http://anti-spyware-review.toptenreviews.com/?ttreng=1&ttrkey=spyware+eliminator

agree or disagree with the review? does anyone have spyware eliminator 4.0? is it good? comments?

chaslang · Jul 13, 2005

Read the below which is quoted from: http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Note on UControl: UControl is an adware-supported anti-spyware program offered by the well-known adware vendor WhenU (1, 2). The UControl anti-spyware scan engine is supplied by Aluria Software, makers of Aluria Spyware Eliminator, a well-known anti-spyware program. On Oct. 27, 2004 Aluria announced that it was de-listing WhenU's adware applications from Spyware Eliminator (1). Within days after that announcement it became known that Aluria had decided not just to remove WhenU from its definitions database -- it had decided to partner with WhenU and offer an adware-supported anti-spyware scanner (1, 2) through WhenU's WhenUSearch toolbar. (Aluria also supplies the scan engine for the America Online [AOL] Spyware Protection program, though AOL has apparently stipulated that WhenU will remain targeted within that application. [1])
As explained in my several postings to the DSLReports.com Security forum (1), it is important to recognize that there are two distinct and separate issues here: 1) Aluria's decision to de-target WhenU; 2) Aluria's decision to partner with WhenU, an adware vendor. Even if WhenU merited de-targeting because of improvements to its privacy practices (a point we dispute), Aluria should never have entered into a partnership with an adware vendor because of the serious conflict of interest problems that such a deal raises. Not only does it put Aluria in the untenable position of having a financial stake in the adware advertising market, but Aluria and WhenU are now offering a anti-spyware scanner that removes competitors to WhenU. That undeniable conflict of interest makes Aluria and WhenU untrustworthy sources for an anti-spyware program, and other reputable critics agree with this assessment (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

It should be noted that several reputable anti-spyware companies have also been approached by adware vendors looking for similar deals (1, 2, 3, 4). They all refused on principle, as one would expect an anti-spyware firm to do. In choosing to partner with WhenU, however, Aluria has effectively decided to keep company with other disreputable vendors that bundle adware with their anti-spyware programs (1, 2), all of which are listed on this page.

Even putting aside the controversy over the Aluria/WhenU deal, we simply cannot recommend an anti-spyware scanner that bundles adware, as the UControl scanner does, given that there are a number of excellent adware-free alternatives available to those looking for an anti-spyware scanner (1, 2). In this judgment we are completely consistent with our earlier decisions to list other anti-spyware applications that are adware-supported or that install spyware. Neither can we recommend Aluria's Spyware Eliminator in the light of Aluria's partnership with WhenU, for all the reasons elaborated above. Note: you can read Aluria's several responses to criticism of its partnership with WhenU here: 1, 2, 3. You can read WhenU's defense of its privacy practices here: 1, 2.
Click to expand...

Log in or Sign up

spyware software review 2005

THE_CANADIAN Specialist

chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

Members

Useful Searches