US authorities warn of bogus anti-spyware

A company that tricked consumers into buying bogus anti-spyware software has been shut down by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The FTC said in a ruling that Spyware Assassin did not remove spyware and used bogus advertising to lure users onto its website. These included pop-up ads that told people they had spyware on their PCs when no such software existed.

"The defendants claim that the software they sell for $29.95 will 'remove all spyware programs and files' and will 'prevent any future breaches'," the FTC finding stated.

"According to the FTC, the 'anti-spyware' software does not remove all or substantially all spyware, and the defendants' deceptive claims violate the FTC Act, which bars deceptive claims.

"The agency will seek a permanent ban on the deceptive claims and will ask the court to order consumer redress from defendants MaxTheater Inc, a Washington corporation, and Thomas L Delanoy, its principal."

Users of the Spyware Assassin website would be offered a remote scan of their computer, which invariably found spyware. Users were then urged to pay to download the full software.

The court ruled against the defendants by a 5-0 majority and the site has been taken down. Last year the FTC received 200,000 complaints about internet fraud.

See also:

Mixed reaction to Microsoft spyware

Good for consumers, but 'the enterprise won't touch it'  11 Mar 2005

Symantec takes aim at spyware and adware

Security vendor promises automatic detection and removal  15 Feb 2005

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