MS AntiSpyware Changes Raise Concern
A spyware researcher has found that an update to Microsoft's AntiSpyware program has changed how it flags programs from Claria, an adware developer. Last week, it was rumored that Microsoft was considering purchasing the company for its software technology to deliver personalized ads.
Eric Howes at Spyware Warrior discovered the changes during a recent test and found that Dashbar, Gator, PrecisionTime and Weatherscope had all been switched from a "Quarantine" classification to "Ignore."
"Does this mean that Claria will, in fact, be purchased by Microsoft? Not necessarily," said Alex Eckelberry, president of Sunbelt Software, which shares the spyware definition files with Microsoft.
According to Eckelberry's records, the changes happened back on March 31. He also said it could just be the result of successful lobbying by the company to be taken off the list, or even a mistake.
A spyware researcher has found that an update to Microsoft's AntiSpyware program has changed how it flags programs from Claria, an adware developer. Last week, it was rumored that Microsoft was considering purchasing the company for its software technology to deliver personalized ads.
Eric Howes at Spyware Warrior discovered the changes during a recent test and found that Dashbar, Gator, PrecisionTime and Weatherscope had all been switched from a "Quarantine" classification to "Ignore."
"Does this mean that Claria will, in fact, be purchased by Microsoft? Not necessarily," said Alex Eckelberry, president of Sunbelt Software, which shares the spyware definition files with Microsoft.
According to Eckelberry's records, the changes happened back on March 31. He also said it could just be the result of successful lobbying by the company to be taken off the list, or even a mistake.
