TrustSoft’s SpyKiller Scam Scans Canned with CAN-SPAM 6/23/2005 - 1,161 views, 3 Comments
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According to the FTC, users who visited the SpyKiller website were offered a free spyware scan on the spot; while their computer was supposedly being scanned a message was displayed saying “Spyware Found on your PC:â€?, and which included a section called “Live Spyware Processes”. In fact, these “live spyware processes” found by SpyKiller were regular legitimate programs, such as word processors or just about any other running program, including, ironically, legitimate anti-spyware and virus programs. Once the alleged spyware was found, of course, users were encouraged to buy the SpyKiller product, for about $40.00, in order to have the ’spyware’ removed. TrustSoft also sent out spam telling recipients that they had scanned their computers remotely, and inviting them to come to the SpyKiller website for their free scam..er..scan. Now, thanks to the FTC, hopefully this is one spyware scan scam which will scam no more.
The Federal Trade Commission has announced that it has received a restraining order against and frozen the assets of TrustSoft and their SpyKiller program, a program which, the FTC says, was nothing more than a scam.
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When did You-CAN-SPAM start applying to popups? The FTC release has a one-sentence paragraph which says that the spam violated the act, the bulk of the release addresses “deceptive claims”.
It’s unlikely they would have taken any action against TrustSoft for spamming only, considering how little spam actually is compliant, and how little the FTC has enforced You-Can-Spam in spite of that.
Comment by Timmer — 6/24/2005 @ 8:45 am
Can anyone please tell me how to permanately stop the trustsoft pop-up. I have deleted everything for trustsoft from my computer, but I still have that pop-up every time I start my computer.
Comment by William C. Inman — 3/5/2007 @ 10:23 am
I had to pay Symantec $99 for a chat session with remote control to get rid of that damn virus. It even hijacked my browser with redirects and changed my homepage!
What a nuisance!
Comment by petemoss — 3/14/2008 @ 2:05 am