Google Base Jumping >>
<< Encrypted Backups Still Not All That Common
 tdicon 

Miscellaneous

by Mike Masnick

Tue, Nov 15th 2005 7:41pm





This Software Is Spyware Free

from the what-about-Sony-BMG-CDs? dept

A group of big internet companies are apparently teaming up to certify downloadable software to make sure it's "consumer-friendly and non-invasive" (read: spyware free). The testing will be done by TRUSTe, who is known for reviewing e-commerce websites for trustworthiness. However, while that system (which results in sites getting a little logo they can paste on their sites) has had mixed results, the way this program is set up may be more effective. It's not about giving the software publishers a seal of approval to publicly show off -- but to create an overall list of safe applications. Then, sites that aggregate programs for download can make sure they only offer programs that made it onto the list. Even more importantly, companies that advertise in some of these software programs can look through the list to make sure they only advertise on "consumer friendly" applications. What's not clear, however, is what criteria the testing labs will use to test whether or not the software really is consumer friendly. Obviously, this could lead to some arguments -- but overall, it sounds like a good first step in setting up some incentives for software developers to be more consumer friendly and for advertisers to avoid supporting those who miss the mark.

10 Comments | Leave a Comment

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments (rss)

(Flattened / Threaded)

  1.  
    identicon
    Alex, Nov 15th, 2005 @ 10:05pm

    No Subject Given

    Cool. If they publish the MD5 of each certified product, this should increase people's confidence.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  
    identicon
    Charles Dawson, Nov 15th, 2005 @ 10:19pm

    Great

    If it gets to work as stated we will get rid of software like Messenger Discovery that was a trojan!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  
    identicon
    Swati, Nov 15th, 2005 @ 11:00pm

    No Subject Given

    So the companies that make apps without spyware will have to get their software certified to get on that list?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  
    identicon
    Andrew Fernie, Nov 16th, 2005 @ 12:22am

    Good plan, but...

    the majority of people who end up with spyware on their system neither consider nor are interested in these kinds of checks and balances. Chances are it won't occur to them. This will be a useful tool for the informed and technically proficient. I'm not convinced it will help end spyware in the wider world.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  
    icon
    Mike (profile), Nov 16th, 2005 @ 12:32am

    Re: Good plan, but...

    The idea isn't for individuals to check it out, but to get mainstream distributors to stop distributing the crap. Plenty of people assume that if a mainstream distributor has it, it's "safe" when that's often not true at all.

    Also, as the post points out, this may also be used to help advertisers know where not to put their ad dollars, which hopefully will take some of the money out of the worst offenders' pockets.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  6.  
    identicon
    Boo, Nov 16th, 2005 @ 12:36am

    If it takes off...


    Then a check could be added to browsers download manager to query the database and prevent software not registered. With a littel support form M$ and Moz, Joe consumer could be effectively protected from downloading trojans with their new IM toolbar.

    Is there some kind of encrypted key to identify valid copies of software though, or is it just literally a list of program names?

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  7.  
    identicon
    Jim, Nov 16th, 2005 @ 5:29am

    TRUSTe?


    From the article: "The testing will be done by TRUSTe, who is known for reviewing e-commerce websites for trustworthiness."

    I beg to differ. TRUSTe is known for allowing their member companies to do whatever they want. TRUSTe is a complete joke, they have zero credibility.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  8.  
    identicon
    WOW, Nov 16th, 2005 @ 6:49am

    Re: TRUSTe?

    OWNT

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  9.  
    identicon
    JerseyRich, Nov 16th, 2005 @ 6:54am

    Better than nothin' huh?

    This sounds like a step in the right direction. What I've always wondered is: who are these companies that would advertise using companies that distribute adware?
    Personally, if I know that a company advertises in this manner, I make sure to AVOID doing business with them.
    There have been situations in the past where legitimate companies unknowingly advertise with a company that uses adware so this "certification" should help all companies to steer clear of them now.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  10.  
    identicon
    PB, Nov 16th, 2005 @ 9:28am

    TRUSTe is *not* Trustworthy

    See what you think...these are just a few articles that Ben Edelman has written about on his site concerning TRUSTe. I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw a piano.

    http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/exact-advertisers/truste.html

    http://www.benedelman.org/spywa re/ns8/

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


Add Your Comment

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here
Get Techdirt’s Daily Email
Save me a cookie
  • Note: A CRLF will be replaced by a break tag (<br>), all other allowable HTML will remain intact
  • Allowed HTML Tags: <b> <i> <a> <em> <br> <strong> <blockquote> <hr> <tt>
Google Base Jumping >>
<< Encrypted Backups Still Not All That Common
 tdicon 
Follow Techdirt
Flattr rss rss
A word from our Sponsors...
Sponsored Resource
Essential Reading
Techdirt Reading List
Techdirt Insider Chat

A word from our Sponsors...
Recent Stories

Friday

7:39pm: In Defense Of Digital Freedom: It's Time To Get Beyond 'Cyber' Hyperbole (17)
6:40pm: Xbox One Release: Tons Of Questions, Very Few Answers (59)
5:37pm: Think DOJ Spying On Reporters Was 'Unprecedented'? Think Again (5)
5:00pm: DailyDirt: DIY Soda (Pop Or Whatever You Call Carbonated Beverages) (5)
3:51pm: Petition Asks Obama To Support Treaty For The Blind, Rather Than Siding With Hollywood (15)
2:46pm: Fair Use For Me, But Not For Thee (25)
1:45pm: Another Court Tells Prenda To Pay Up On Attorneys Fees (21)
12:45pm: If You Thought Copyright Was A Mess On Earth, What Does It Look Like In Space? (23)
11:45am: Guy Sues Twitter For Taking Away His Twitter Handle (12)
10:40am: Copyright... Patent... It's All The Same To The World's Third-Largest News Agency (57)
More arrow
A word from our Sponsors...

Close

Email This