Microsoft files lawsuit over Jessica Simpson-themed spyware


	November 27th, 2008 New version of XPC Spy Pro added! more


	December 03rd, 2008 Hackers run Linux on iPhone more Your face is easy to fake, says security company more Microsoft opens up Vista SP2 beta more Latest VB100 malware test brings good news more Botnet Master Sees Himself as Next Bill Gates more Apple removes Mac antivirus recommendation more License server glitch exposes SonicWall users to e-mail security threats more Lenovo arms ThinkPads with Intel's built-in security more U.S. report sees major terror attack by 2013, ignores cyberattack risk more Lenovo arms ThinkPads with Intel's built-in security more Feds nab more members of alleged identity theft gang more Apple's antivirus advice 'big to-do about nothing,' says researcher more Opinion: Is there a hidden cost to data protection? more Human error is top IT security concern more Workers worried about job security might steal corporate data more

DISCLAIMER: Logging other people's keystrokes or breaking into other people's computer without their permission can be considered illegal by the courts of many countries. The monitoring software reviewed here is ONLY for authorized system administrators and/or owners of computers. We assume no liability and are not responsible for any misuse or damage caused by the keylogging software. The end user of this software is obliged to obey all applicable local, state, federal and other laws in his country of residence.

November 15th, 2006

Microsoft files lawsuit over Jessica Simpson-themed spyware

Microsoft announced Nov. 14 that it has filed a lawsuit against an organization believed to be responsible for attacking users with spyware programs hidden in celebrity-themed screen savers, including some bearing pictures of pop singer Jessica Simpson.

One day after the United States Federal Trade Commission took its own legal action against ERG Ventures, its affiliates and its operators in the company's home state of Nevada, Microsoft brought its own lawsuit against the firm accusing it of violating the Washington Computer Spyware Act and the Washington Consumer Protection Act.

Specifically named in the lawsuit was Timothy P. Taylor, the alleged chief of ERG, along with affiliate company Media Motor.

In its suit, Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft claims that Taylor and other parties used screen savers, including those featuring pictures of popular celebrities, to surreptitiously install unwanted software on users' computers.

Applications delivered in the ERG screen savers included so-called Trojan horse malware programs that loaded spyware onto infected machines, according to the lawsuit.

Microsoft alleges in its lawsuit that the defendants distributed their programs through sites built to end users, including a site that uses the brand name of well-known golf equipment manufacturer Taylor Made.

Once installed, the Trojan applications would reportedly dial out and download numerous other programs that would saddle users' computers with pop-up advertisements, track their Web usage habits, redirect infected browsers to suspicious URLs, add desktop icons to Windows and change the registry settings on Windows PCs, Microsoft said.

The software giant said the applications also violated Washington's laws by installing themselves without giving users sufficient notice, or gaining their consent.

Microsoft said the programs installed themselves when users took appropriate steps to stop them from being downloaded onto their machines.

The Microsoft action comes a day after the FTC announced that Judge Howard McKibben of the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada issued a temporary restraining order against ERG and its affiliates.

The court said in its ruling that ERG tricked consumers into downloading programs that degraded the performance of their computers, spied on their activities and exposed them to disruptive ads.

The Nevada case specifically charges that the Media Motor programs were responsible for acting as the Trojans for downloading other attacks.

The FTC asked the court to order a permanent halt to the deceptive and unfair downloads, and to order the outfit to give up any profits related to the controversial programs.

Source: YAHOO! News

	All news for December 03rd, 2008:
	15:18	Hackers run Linux on iPhone
	15:17	Your face is easy to fake, says security company
	15:15	Microsoft opens up Vista SP2 beta
	15:09	Latest VB100 malware test brings good news
	14:57	Botnet Master Sees Himself as Next Bill Gates
	14:53	Apple removes Mac antivirus recommendation
	14:51	License server glitch exposes SonicWall users to e-mail security threats
	14:50	Lenovo arms ThinkPads with Intel's built-in security
	14:50	U.S. report sees major terror attack by 2013, ignores cyberattack risk
	14:48	Lenovo arms ThinkPads with Intel's built-in security
	14:44	Feds nab more members of alleged identity theft gang
	14:43	Apple's antivirus advice 'big to-do about nothing,' says researcher
	14:42	Opinion: Is there a hidden cost to data protection?
	14:41	Human error is top IT security concern
	14:40	Workers worried about job security might steal corporate data
	All news for December 02nd, 2008:
	15:58	Delaware bank layers desktop, network security to keep data safe
	15:50	Vietnamese software BKAV raises antivirus bar
	15:41	Security vendors warn of Christmas e-crime spike
	15:36	Researchers plan 'honeypot' security project
	15:31	The Amero Case: Stranger (and Uglier) Than Fiction
	15:20	Apple tells Mac users to install antivirus software
	15:19	System design to help gov't curb security breaches
	15:14	Cryptzone polishes encryption product
	15:13	London hospitals almost back online after worm infection
	15:12	The myth of cloud computing
	15:09	New Windows worm builds massive botnet

All news for December, 2008
All news for 2008 year
All news for 2007 year
All news for 2006 year
All news for 2005 year
All news for 2004 year

DONATION: Keylogger.org is an independent research project supported by a team of enthusiasts. If you find this project useful or would like to help foster its continued development please consider making a donation using PayPal`s online secure payment service.

A PayPal account is not required. All major credit cards are accepted (MasterCard/Eurocard, Visa/Delta/Electron, American Express, Switch/Maestro, Solo). Simply click the button below.

Any amount would be useful and appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your support!