Windows AntiSpyware Downgrades Claria Detections

accihap writes "A week after word leaked out that Microsoft was negotiating an acquisition deal with Claria (See recent /. coverage), spyware researchers have noticed that the Windows antispyware application has downgraded Claria's Gator detections and changed the recommended action from 'quarantine' to 'ignore.' Screenshots of the new default settings."

Spy vs. Spy

[DanielMarkham]

Ok. So the anti-spyware program lets the spyware continue operating without flagging it, because it has become spyware itself by association? So now we obviously need to develop an anti-anti spyware program, to fix the problems caused by the anti-spyware, right? That is, until the anti-spyware people declare our anti-anti-spyware to be spyware, in which case we'll have to develop anti-anti-anti-spyware?
This makes my head hurt.

[whattofix.com]

This is impossible.

[Quick Sick Nick]

Something made by Microsoft does not work? I don't believe it.

In a related story

[g0bshiTe]

Microsoft purchased the Sasser source code, and has now removed the Sasser definition from it's Antivirus Suites.

Reasonable Explanation

[CrazyWingman]

Come on now, all, there is probably a completely reasonable explanation for this. You know, like their software can only handle 1023 programs being classified as "Quarantine". They just had to clear some out to make room. :P

Friggin' M$.

Re:Sadly, no surprise.

[TripMaster Monkey]

The vast majority of Microsoft AntiSpyware beta 1 are going to say, "Hey, it's a beta, maybe it's a screw-up".

You can't seriously be this stupid. A week after it is reported that Microsoft is in talks to buy Claria, Microsoft's anti-spyware flagging of Claria's adware mysteriously gets downgraded from 'remove' to 'ignore'? And you attribute this to a 'screw-up'? Sheesh.

For your next trick, why don't you go and correct the grammar and spelling of everyone on Slashdot?

Gladly.

OMG!!! M$ IZ TEH GHAY!
^GHEY^
^_^

Re:Sadly, no surprise.

[/ASCII]

You are taking this the wrong way. What has happened is that Microsoft noticed that Claria software contains bugs which in rare cases cause it to perform actions that some users might not want without first prompting the user. These actions include a problem with the automatic upgrade facility that may accidentally cause Claria software to be installed on a computer without the user requesting this. Because of this, they have contacted Claria and asked them to rewrite their software and remove all such unintended features. Claria has of course complied, and hence their software will be removed from the spyware list.

THIS IS EVIL! AND FLAME BAIT!

[gizm0it]

Proof that Bill Gates is the Devil The real name of "the" Bill Gates is William Henry Gates III. Nowadays he is known as Bill Gates (III), where "III" means the order of third (3rd.) By converting the letters of his current name to the ASCII-values and adding his (III), you get the following: B 66 I 73 L 76 L 76 G 71 A 65 T 84 E 69 S 83 + 3 -------------- 666 !! Some might ask, "How did Bill Gates get so powerful?" Coincidence? Or just the beginning of mankind's ultimate and total enslavement??? Before you decide, consider the following: M S - D O S 6 . 2 1 77+83+45+68+79+83+32+54+46+50+49 = 666 W I N D O W S 9 5 87+73+78+68+79+87+83+57+53+1 = 666 Coincidence? You decide...

the price of desire

[handy_vandal]

A week after word leaked out that Microsoft was negotiating an acquisition deal with Claria (See recent /. coverage), spyware researchers have noticed that the Windows antispyware application has downgraded Claria's Gator detections and changed the recommended action from 'quarantine' to 'ignore.'

A week after I start dating some totally hot babe, event though she's a nagging idiot, I've downgraded my idiot detections and changed my recommended action from "quarantine" to "ignore".

-kgj

Re:Sadly, no surprise.

[Anonymous Coward]

My whole point is...don't confuse a computer with real life.

This is slashdot remember? These people have no concept of a life outside of their computers and tend to think of an operating system as a religion. Seriously, the majority of people here need to be checked into a mental hospital.

Re:Sadly, no surprise.

[iminplaya]

Like IE, Claria will become integrated into the system, making it impossible to remove. That's ok. Let them shoot off their nose to spite their feet...

Re:Sadly, no surprise.

[borawjm]

oh thanks. I was wondering where my clock thingie went

Re:Sadly, no surprise.

[Deviant Q]

No, you forgot two steps: 7. ??? 8. Profit!!!

Re:Sadly, no surprise.

[Anonymous Coward]

Why people continue to accept Windows' problems without much ire is a mystery to me. Maybe because Unix's problems are much worse? Have you ever read the Unix-Hater's Handbook, or are you just interested in spewing propaganda?

Opus the penguin put it best.

[sammy baby]

"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make a silk purse out of a pig in a poke."

Re:Sadly, no surprise.

[ultranova]

Makes you think: In 10 - 15 years when Microsoft will probably own half the home security alarms market, I wonder what will happen if they were to acquire 'Burglers Inc.'?

The difference between computers and burglar alarms is that people expect computers to crash and burglar alarms to work. If a burglar alarm doesn't work, it gets switched to another one; if several different burglar alarms fail to work, they get switched to rottweilers.

"Rottweiler - the burglar alarm with teeth !" ;).