Conspiracy or Marketing Strategy?

Is is me or does it seem like there are more and more spyware-removal programs being sold these days? I was at the computer/electronics store in my home town yesterday and was walking through the software department. I noticed that the spyware-removal software had doubled since the last time I was at that store, which was around a month ago. Do we really need all these? Has the market really grown that much? Or has this just become a huge, overwhelming marketing scam - tricking the consumers into thinking that their computers, as well as their personal information is at risk? This is getting out of hand, and I feel it's only the beginning.

More and more people buy their very first computer everyday. These people are the first to be sucked into the spyware game. I overheard an employee explaining the different spyware-removal programs to one particular customer. I couldn't help but notice that he was trying to push the Norton products as if Norton was going to be the best suitable protection. Ah, protection. Protection from what exactly? I think that with any marketing strategy for spyware-removal programs, the key element is to make the computer users believe that there is a real threat out there, and if you pay "them" every year for updates then you'll be safe.

Ever had that strange feeling in the back of your head? Ever wondered if the people who write the spyware-removal programs might also be the same people who write the spyware? Hmm? These companies make tons and tons of money and people are getting scared and are willing to pay monthly, yearly, whatever to make sure that they are protected. Notice how there are ads everywhere you are on the Internet. My favorite one is the one that says, "Click Here For Your Free Scan." And then you'll be redirected to a website where somebody's trying to sell you a spyware-removal program. Something is fishy around here. Does anyone think the same or otherwise?

#246082

I suspect the same for anti-virus software.

#246114

My dad just the other day saw a banner advertisement for a spyware-scanner. He downloaded it and ran it, and it found "18 high-risk" spyware files on his system. When you attempt to clean the system, it then takes you to a website to pay for a subscription, because the scanner is free to use - but to delete any spyware you have to pay.

Fortunately, it tells you where these files are stored. Some are straight forward because it shows the folder, whilst others are stored in the registry.

1 turned out to be a dialer program, so I simply removed that from the registry and deleted the necessary files.

All other 17 were files required for software such as Corel WordPerfect 11 to function, his Kodak software that came with his camera, and some other program my dad uses.

If I wasn't there, he would have scanned for spyware with this software, panic (which he did, which is why he asked for my help) and would have paid to remove them, thus damaging a few applications which he relies on!

I think that irresponsible for spyware-removal programs to assume that a program may be spyware and instead of saying that it may be spyware, they say it's "High-Risk".

#246176

There are some doubts as to the efficiency of the programs. PC World still suggests using Ad-Aware and Spybot in conjunction...they're free, and someone's offering a paid alternative. There are little benefits, unless you're using some of the bigger-name products (PCW did a study on that too).

I generally just ignore those products, and walk past them with a contented smirk .

-NC

#246177

Ad Aware Pro for me... I haven't had problems yet and it's skinnable.

(now to fish for that firefox pop-up blocker plugin: websites are finally getting around the default one)

#246196

programs that aren't free dosen't mean they are better than free programs.

#246336