Warning: main(http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/header.php): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 7

Warning: main(): Failed opening 'http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/header.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 7

Warning: main(http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/top_part.php): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 104

Warning: main(): Failed opening 'http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/top_part.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 104

Warning: main(http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/logobox_opinion.php): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 105

Warning: main(): Failed opening 'http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/logobox_opinion.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 105

Warning: main(http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/leftcolumn.php): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 120

Warning: main(): Failed opening 'http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/leftcolumn.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 120

  Archive

Recent Entries:
Sayonara
As Pop-Ups Lay Dying, IAB Releases Pop-Up Guidelines
Spyware/Adware Controversy Heats Up
TV Network Execs Cocky, Clueless
Finally!


Warning: main(http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/syndicate.php): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 156

Warning: main(): Failed opening 'http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/syndicate.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 156


The Industry Standard: Guest Blog: Tom Hespos



Spyware/Adware Controversy Heats Up

FTC Commissioner Mozelle Thompson was blasted yesterday during an congressional appearance for suggesting that "Self-regulation combined with enforcement of existing laws might be the best way to go" in the U.S. government's approach to the debate over ad-supported software.

While Thompson's view might be unpopular with folks who have had their computers illegally infected by malicious code, I think it makes sense to avoid lumping in permission-based adware with spyware. Advertising can be a component of a legitimate revenue model for software developers, and it would be a shame to introduce overbroad laws that would cause developers to shun it.

While definitions tend to vary, thankfully many news stories I've seen on this topic lately are starting to distinguish between permission-based adware and malicious, force-installed spyware. That's an important distinction, and if we don't start making it, we run the risk of seeing new bills introduced that might make it difficult for legit adware companies to do business.




Posted by tomhespos, April 30, 2004 11:31 AM | | TrackBack

Warning: main(http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/rightcolumn.php): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 230

Warning: main(): Failed opening 'http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/rightcolumn.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 230

Warning: main(http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/footer.php): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 241

Warning: main(): Failed opening 'http://www.thestandard.com/movabletype/templates/footer.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /mnt/netappfas270a/redesign/infoworld/industrystandard/geeklog2/public_html/movabletype/tomhespos/archives/003563.php on line 241