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The ASC Looks To Define Spyware
John Stith
Staff Writer
2005-07-12
 Insider Reports RSS Feed
Let's take a crack at defining spyware/adware. Irritating is the first word that comes to mind, to be followed up by destructive. Then there's wretched not to mention EXPLETIVE DELETED. A group calling itself the Anti-Spyware Coalition (ASC) has elected to come up with something a little less profane but they are attempting to define spyware.
The ASC announced on Tuesday they wanted to create hard definitions for spyware. The press release sited a Ponemon Institute study stating 85% of frequent Internet users believe they had spyware on their computers and 86% of those folks said the spyware caused them monetary or productivity loss.
A number of very potent companies in the industry have signed on to the ASC and there mission. These companies include Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Yahoo, Earthlink, AOL, Trend Micro, Symantec, McAfee, Lavasoft and host of other companies and organizations.
The ASC also plans on putting together a glossary of terms defining things like screen scrapers, port scanners and adware. This will make it easier for customers to understand many of these unwanted intruders. These problems continue to harass customers and many feel these definitions will advance the cause of combating spyware/adware.
A recent study by the Pew Internet and American Life project backs up much of the ASC work. Their study said most U.S. Internet users have learned about spyware and adware the hard way. Not a pleasant picture for many Internet users in their never-ending efforts to block unwanted cookies and Gator downloads.
The ASC describes "spyware and other potentially unwanted technologies" as those that "impair users' control over material changes that affect their user experience, privacy, or system security; use their system resources, including what programs are installed on their computers; or collection, use, and distribution of their personal or otherwise sensitive information."
The group said they would hold a public comment period on the definitions through August 12. The forum is wide open one can go to the ASC website on how to post and other information.
A number of companies now offer various versions of some type of adware/spyware program. Lavasoft's AdAware may be one of the best known. McAfee and Symantec both offer spyware/adware solutions in their computer security packages. Microsoft has an Anti-Spyware program as does Yahoo and most of the companies listed on the press release.
While the goal they attempt to achieve is admirable, a number of companies have been suing to have their programs delisted as spyware and the rumor that Microsoft may be acquiring Claria fuel speculation as to the seriousness of the parties involved.
According to the Webroot study recently published, the new trend is to mix spam with malware and that will be the trend of the future. They also pointed another problem was that so many computers use similar software, namely Microsoft products, so Internet villains constantly comb this product for vulnerabilities.
About the Author:
John is a staff writer for SecurityProNews covering cyber security.
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