Companies quit anti-spyware consortium

Posted on 7 Feb 2005 at 10:16

Two leading anti-spyware companies have quit the Consortium of Anti-Spyware Technology Vendors (COAST) putting the future of the industry body in doubt. The companies - Webroot and Aluria - are said to be unhappy with the direction of the consortium and its policy of opening the door to companies which themselves allegedly develop adware and spyware.

The final straw for the pair is said to be the recent admittance last month of 180solutions - a search marketing company which develops search assistant software that points users to advertisers' websites.
Both Webroot and Aluria develop both home and business anti-spyware solutions. Webroot is the manufacturer of the highly rated SpySweeper while Aluria is behind the Spyware Elimantor brand.
Although 180solutions has changed its model in order to gain admittance to COAST many still regard the company as an Adware/Spyware vendor and therefore a dog in the manger.

In a statement Webroot said, 'Of late, we have become concerned that COAST is moving in a direction with which we cannot agree. We are not comfortable with the idea of COAST as a certification body or as a marketing tool for member companies'.

For its part Aluria says 'COAST is no longer a viable organisation that fits with our commitment of protecting computer users and developing a high quality response system to the threat of spyware'.

Before 180solutions was admitted to the group, COAST demanded that the company make a number of changes to its business practices. Trey Barnes, executive director of COAST said '180solutions has passed a lengthy and rigorous review process demonstrating their commitment to develop and distribute spyware-free applications. By making substantial modifications to its software, and working with channel partners to distribute only the modified versions of its products in the future, the company has demonstrated its desire to adhere to COAST's high level of standards.'

However this was clearly not enough for Aluria and Webroot. In its statement, Webroot hinted that it may form another consortium of 'pure' anti-spyware companies saying it 'will continue to participate in alliances and organizations that share our views and goals'.

In an unrelated move Webroot announced that it had received $108 million worth of venture capital funding.

Author: Steve Malone