'How to detect spyware' guidelines aired

Anti-spyware group issues rules for bad behaviour…

The Anti-Spyware Coalition (ASC) offered up standard guidelines on Thursday for detecting, rating and protecting against unwelcome programs that have plagued internet users in recent years.

The group, composed of software companies and consumer advocates, also finalised its definition of spyware, veering little from the version it proposed in July.

The coalition defines spyware and other potentially unwanted technologies as programs deployed without sufficient user consent or which impair user control over any of the following: privacy, system security and user experience; use of their system resources; or collection, use and distribution of personal information.

Spyware and adware have become widely despised for sneaky distribution tactics, unauthorised data gathering, the eating-up of computer processing power and other annoyances. Although adware makers say there are legitimate uses for their programs, an entire anti-spyware market has been spawned to combat the stuff.

Yet attempts to define spyware and create guidelines are also controversial. Critics fear spyware makers will use the guidelines to avoid getting caught by blocking tools but will find ways to continue bad behaviours.

Full article: silicon.com