FTC Shuts Down More Bogus Spyware Scan Companies
from the here-we-go-again dept
A few years back the FTC shut down some scam fake anti-spyware companies that would advertise "free scans" of your computer and would then (of course) tell you you had spyware. The scam, of course, was that for a fee of only $30 or $40, you could buy their "software" that would supposedly rid your computer of spyware. Of course, your computer probably didn't already have spyware, and the software you bought certainly wouldn't do anything towards ridding your computer of any actual spyware. It looks like some new scammers have picked up where the old ones left off, because the FTC is announcing, yet again, that it's been able to shut down some bogus anti-spyware operations. Apparently, this operation was slightly more scammy, because advertising networks have stopped accepting ads for such bogus anti-spyware. So, instead, they pretended to place ads for legitimate companies, but then used some code to swap out the "good" ad with the bogus anti-spyware ad.
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You can earn a lot from a dummy
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bloody nusance
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Anyway, those ads are right, if you run windows unprotected, you probably have some spyware.
I always wonder if the reminder of these things ever makes windows users more concerned about security. Or do they just part with the $40 and figure they are safe.
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Premature conclusion
It's the same with their meaningless, token actions against junk faxes and spyware/adware companies and spammers. None of it has had the slightest effect on the problem -- the only purpose for it is to generate positive PR for the bumbling, incompetent, lazy fools at the FTC.
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