WP: Web Firms Take Stand Against Spyware

Web Firms Take Stand Against Spyware
Group Would Require Advertisers to Disclose When Offending Code Is Present
By Jonathan Krim
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 16, 2005; Page D05


A coalition of major Internet companies today will announce a plan to weed out advertisers who infect computers with unwanted code that spies on users' activities or generates nuisance advertising.

The five companies -- America Online Inc., Yahoo Inc., Cnet Networks Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and Computer Associates International Inc. -- said they are responding to escalating frustration among consumers about stealth computer code that can generate endless pop-up ads, monitor which Web sites people view or even capture personal data and impair computer performance. (NOTE: Later in the article, it's noted that Microsoft and Google are not participating.)

The code, known as spyware, adware or trackware, is generally delivered to people's computers via e-mail, through programs that consumers download or even simply by visiting a Web site. Often, there is no easy way to remove it.

Although no firm data exists on how much spyware and adware is distributed, AOL estimated after a survey last year that some form of spyware or adware is on 80 percent of the nation's personal computers. Another survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project estimated that 91 percent of U.S. computer users have made at least one change in their online behavior to avoid spyware or adware....

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Under the plan, which will undergo a test phase until next spring, providers of downloadable programs would have to ensure that there is prominent notification that spyware or adware is included and explain what the code does. There must be easy means of deleting the spyware or adware, and the origin of the advertising must be clearly displayed....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/15/AR2005111501451.html

MSN Messenger will track conversations on the net. It tracks keystrokes. Use of Trend Micro makes this apparent.