eburger68
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4 edits | MS Downgrades Claria Detections
Hi All:
Several sources have now confirmed that Microsoft downgraded its detections of Claria's adware products in the latest update (#5731) to Microsoft AntiSpyware released today. Where Microsoft AntiSpyware used to detect Claria's products and present users with a "Recommended Action" of "Quarantine," following today's update Microsoft AntiSpyware now presents users with a "Recommended Action" of "Ignore" (see attached screenshot). Users can still change the action to "Quarantine" or "Remove."
While Claria's products have not been removed from the Microsoft AntiSpyware definitions, this change is troubling, coming so close on the heels of the revelation that Microsoft has been in talks with Claria to acquire the company:
»Is Microsoft about to buy Claria/Gator ???
Credit goes to Donna of "Calendar of Updates" ( »www.dozleng.com/updates/index.ph···pic=5570 ), Ben Edelman ( »www.benedelman.org/news/063005-1.html ), and Suzi of Spyware Warrior for testing and confirming this find.
Best,
Eric L. Howes
Note: as discussed later in this thread, it now appears that the Claria detections were "downgraded" much earlier than the 7/1 update (#5731) -- at the very least by 6/2 (#5723).
Edit: Full Disclosure - since Nov. of 2004 I have performed consulting work for Sunbelt Software, the makers of the CounterSpy anti-spyware application. In Jan. 2004 I was awarded the Microsoft Most Valued Professional Award (MVP) for my work on privacy and security issues. |
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mers2
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clubs: | It looks like the suspicions of many are being confirmed. This is a sad day for users of Microsoft. |
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richter35
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Croatia
| reply to eburger68
I guess we're one step closer making purchase official. Yes, you can still change it, but having MSAS highly recommended on most security forums could have vast impact on Claria not being removed with MSAS for users who are not aware this change. However, since this has just happened today, we can hope more users become aware of how MSAS handles Claria/Gator by default. |
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B
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| reply to eburger68
I guess this has the nice silver lining of keeping the other antispyware companies in business after all.
My predictions:
1. The eternal vigilance of people like Eric, along with the trusty sensationalism of the media and the blogs, will cause MS to retreat from its current course.
2. The Claria deal will never take place.
3. In a year or so MS AntiSpyware will fall into the same dustbin where they left MS AntiVirus in the 80s, with no real updates and disillusioned users.
4. The pollyannish MS supporters will somehow claim it's all for our own good.
5. TCPA will render some of this nonsense moot (for better and for worse).
6. The AV companies will finally get off their fat asses and start handling the spyware problem properly.
I'm going out on a limb on that last one.
The time frame here is approximately 2 years.
-- B
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MapleLeaf
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| said by B  :1. The eternal vigilance of people like Eric, along with the trusty sensationalism of the media and the blogs, will cause MS to retreat from its current course. 2. The Claria deal will never take place. I am afraid there is too much money at stake here for them to back off...
--
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Mele20
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join:2001-06-05
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| reply to eburger68
This is sad news. I don't think MS will back off. I suggest everyone using MSAS strongly consider getting rid of it and using CounterSpy instead. It is very reasonably priced and PCWorld August 2005 edition says the new beta engine is their product of choice for antispyware applications.
Plus, CounterSpy says this of Claria:
Advice: Remove This is a very high risk threat and should be removed immediately as to prevent harm to your computer or your privacy.
»research.sunbelt-software.com/th···h=Claria
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redxii
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1 edit | reply to mers2
said by mers2 :It looks like the suspicions of many are being confirmed. Embedding ads and pop-ups into Windows? That is the suspicision of "many". We all know that Microsoft can't get away with that, if not for long.
I think the problem is overstated, fanboys looking for a rush.
»www.siliconbeat.com/
»www.perfected.org/archives/2005/···azy-but/
»www.benedelman.org/news/063005-1.html
"The Times says Microsoft's Ballmer wants to be "more aggressive" in pursuing Google."
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mers2
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| Ad-Aware caught heck for quietly dropping WhenU. Microsoft appears to be dropping Claria/Gator from being quarentined/deleted for the money, not that the threat has changed. I hold the same standard to Microsoft that I do to other companies. I was vocal about Lavasoft's actions previously and if MS continues to go down an ethically challenged path I will also be vocal. It's not just pop ups or ads that bother me - it's the tracking technology and the existing database of information that may be put into use by MS. While I was going to give them the benefit of the doubt, this certainly tips the odds that they aren't going to do the right thing.
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1 edit | reply to eburger68
When the Lavasoft/WhenU debacle was the hot topic in this
forum, I uninstalled my copy of AdAware and removed all
installers permanently.
I am about to do the same with Microsoft Anti Spyware. And
I (and many others) thought they could be trusted.
Edit: having read one of the above posts, I am strongly
considering purchasing Sunbelt Counter Spy now.
--
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To RIAA/MPAA - You can sue but you can't catch everyone! |
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BillRoland
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| reply to eburger68
While I agree with the majority that this is a disappointment, I think it bears remembering that Ad-Aware simply quit detecting WhenU, MSAS still detects Claria, just assigns is a lower threat score. Still not good, but not quite apples to apples.
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Chris 313
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| reply to Mele20
said by Mele20 :This is sad news. I don't think MS will back off. I suggest everyone using MSAS strongly consider getting rid of it and using CounterSpy instead. It is very reasonably priced and PCWorld August 2005 edition says the new beta engine is their product of choice for antispyware applications. Plus, CounterSpy says this of Claria: Advice: Remove This is a very high risk threat and should be removed immediately as to prevent harm to your computer or your privacy. » research.sunbelt-software.com/th···h=Claria Hearing this news makes me glad I can't use MSAS and instead am using Counter Spy. Even though MSAS is free, I still like the better detection CS gives me, even if I got to pay yearly for it. |
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mers2
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| said by Chris 313 :Hearing this news makes me glad I can't use MSAS and instead am using Counter Spy. Even though MSAS is free, I still like the better detection CS gives me, even if I got to pay yearly for it. Counterspy is everything MSAS should have been.
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Chris 313
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| said by mers2 :said by Chris 313 :Hearing this news makes me glad I can't use MSAS and instead am using Counter Spy. Even though MSAS is free, I still like the better detection CS gives me, even if I got to pay yearly for it. Counterspy is everything MSAS should have been. I only HOPE that CS doesn't weaken because of a Spyware company offering money, or a spyware company buyout like MS is probably doing. |
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mers2
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| said by Chris 313 :said by mers2 :said by Chris 313 :Hearing this news makes me glad I can't use MSAS and instead am using Counter Spy. Even though MSAS is free, I still like the better detection CS gives me, even if I got to pay yearly for it. Counterspy is everything MSAS should have been. I only HOPE that CS doesn't weaken because of a Spyware company offering money, or a spyware company buyout like MS is probably doing. Considering the people who run Sunbelt software and those who consult for them (including our own Eric Howes) I'd say that possibility is slim to none.
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redxii
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1 edit | reply to Chris 313
said by Chris 313 :I only HOPE that CS doesn't weaken because of a Spyware company offering money, or a spyware company buyout like MS is probably doing. EDIT: I see where you're going.
At least they didn't silently remove Claria detections--
"If you like linux then use it otherwise stop preaching about linux we all already know about it and if we like it we'll use it. If you keep pestering people you look like those annoying Jehovah's witnesses... [..] with nothing better to do." |
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Chris 313
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| said by redxii :said by Chris 313 :I only HOPE that CS doesn't weaken because of a Spyware company offering money, or a spyware company buyout like MS is probably doing. EDIT: I see where you're going. At least they didn't silently remove Claria detections :) They didn't remove Claria detection, they "downgraded" it.
If I used MSAS and came upon Claria and know about this site and it's info, I'd immediately switch Ignore to REMOVE. |
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mers2
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| reply to redxii
said by redxii :said by Chris 313 :I only HOPE that CS doesn't weaken because of a Spyware company offering money, or a spyware company buyout like MS is probably doing. EDIT: I see where you're going. At least they didn't silently remove Claria detections This is true and they are definitely above Lavasoft on that count. But you have Microsoft, a trusted entity, telling it's users that Claria/Gator is not a threat. Most of those users are uninformed and will allow it to stay on their machines because MS says it's ok. All because MS is in a potential business deal with a known malware company.
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Defcon888
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| reply to eburger68
Do I smell lava[soft]?
As long as MSAS still detects it.. and gives me the option to remove it.. then it should be fine.. if Microsoft decides to NOT detect it.. then this is a little different...
I can't believe Microsoft is having such deals with such a shady company as Gator.
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salzan
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| reply to eburger68
Most irritating is that these decisions to remove/downgrade definitions are politically motivated. It has nothing to do with the adware/software in question cleaning up their act or suddenly turning over a new leaf. I may not be able to control many of the political annoyances in my day to day life but I can certainly control what's installed on my computer. If I get uncomfortable (as in the case of Lavasoft) the software just goes away.
It is too bad that the anti-spyware sector is increasingly infected with this disease.  |
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CalamityJane
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Eustis, FL | reply to eburger68
Microsoft, this is just bad!
Another disappointed MVP. We're into fighting spyware, not joining it
Bad move :thumbsdown: |
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