Management
Technology
- Applications
- Business Intelligence
- Development
- Hardware
- Mobile & Wireless
- Networking
- Internet
- Operating Systems
- Security Products
- Servers & Datacentre
- Storage
Toolbox
Training
Books
White Papers
Webcast
Resource Centre
September 01, 2008
McAfee sued by unhappy 'adware' company
Case reminiscent of Zango battle with PC Tools.
By John E. Dunn, Techworld
A little-known company called 7Search.com has become the latest outfit to legally contest its classification as spyware by a major anti-malware company.
Advert
In a court filing from 25 August, 7Search.com complains that that "McAfee continues to incorrectly and falsely advise the public that 7Search.com contains downloads that are adware, spyware, or other potentially unwanted programs, when it is aware that there is no software on that site at all."
Currently, McAfee's SiteAdvisor site analysis system gives it an ‘X'rating, stating that "feedback from credible users suggests that downloads on this site may contain what some people would consider adware, spyware, or other potentially unwanted programs."
7Search.com demands that McAfee change its rating from red to green, and delete any references made in SiteAdvisor that the site is connected to adware, spyware or viruses.
7Search.com does admit being associated with the 7FaSSt Toolbar, a piece of hijackware it says has not been available from its site since 2003, claiming rather disingenuously that the program was only installed after users had been presented with a end-user license agreement, and could be removed using the Windows Add/Remove interface.
This is despite the fact that several anti-spyware companies make reference to the software being associated with 7Search.com after 2003, including one, Sunbelt Software, which makes the same connection, without going into detail, as recently as June 2008.
The number of 7FaSSt removal tools might also suggest that the software was not as easy to de-install as claimed.
The 7Search.com v McAfee case is remarkably similar to 2007 battle between Zango and software vendors PC Tools and Kaspersky Lab, concerning their classification of the company's toolbar software. At the time, it was suggested that the legal threats could be used against smaller anti-virus companies by way of intimidation. This would hardly apply in the case of McAfee, one of the largest security companies in the world.
Follow highlights from ComputerworldUK on Twitter
Sign up for our Daily Newsletter
The UK IT News widget Get it for your site!
« prev article | more security products news | next article »
Advert
Email this article to a friend or colleague:
PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story, and in case of transmission error. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.
- This article is now being printed.
What are your views on this subject? Use the form below to post a comment on this article up to 1000 characters.
Click below to add 'McAfee sued by unhappy 'adware' company - Prevention - ComputerworldUK' to your blog.
If you do not have a ComputerworldUK Account and would like to use this feature, please Register.
If you are a registered, logged-in user, this will post the title and first paragraph of this story to your blog to share with your readers.
Advert
Newsletters
Sign up to our Weekly Round-Up for the past week’s not-to-be-missed news analysis and insight delivered straight to your inbox.
WHITE PAPERS
-
Legal risks: Employee use of the internet and email
Exploring the challenges facing IT Mangers today and vital steps to ensure safe internet an email use by employees. -
Phishing for victims
This White Paper examines the phenomenon of phishing. It explains the potentially catastrophic threat it presents to all kinds of organisation. Exploding some widespread myths, it lights up the murky waters where phishing first emerged and where it continues to evolve. But it also highlights what your business can do to blunt the threat.
