Yahoo embraces antispyware

by Guest Contributor | May 27, 2004 2:07:00 PM

Tags: Guest Contributor

Takeaway: The Web portal is set to release an upgrade for its downloadable toolbar to help people detect and remove spyware, or malicious files, on their PCs.

Stay on top of the latest tech news with our free IT News Digest e-newsletter, delivered each weekday. Automatically sign up today!

By Stefanie Olsen
CNET News.com

Yahoo on Thursday is expected to release an upgrade for its downloadable toolbar to help people detect and remove spyware, or malicious files, on their PCs.

For now, the Web portal will be testing the technology, which has been supplied by antispyware company PestPatrol. It will offer the toolbar upgrade only to a select number of people at beta.toolbar.yahoo.com, Yahoo spokeswoman Stephanie Iwamasa said.

The software can perform a high-level scan of files on a PC to detect viruses or other applications that were installed surreptitiously and are used to spy on computer behavior.

"The toolbar is the best place to present this application because of its accessibility--you can log on and use your toolbar from any machine--and because it's a persistent application in the browser window," Iwamasa said.

Yahoo joins other companies in the fight against the growth of spyware. EarthLink recently introduced antispyware technology for its subscribers. And last week, Google urged software makers to follow common-sense guidelines when writing programs that embed themselves on Internet users' PCs. It stated that the programs should be clearly labeled, permit consumers to disable them, and not perform actions such leaking personal information.

Interest is also growing at the state and federal government levels in regulating and perhaps even banning adware and spyware. Utah has already enacted such a law, and the U.S. House of Representatives and the Federal Trade Commission have convened hearings on the issue in the past few weeks.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

Yahoo embraces antispyware Newsletter Editor | 05/27/04

I love it! horizons58@... | 05/27/04

thought I would love it, too... keybored | 05/27/04

spyware vendor removing spyware??? vnguyen@... | 05/27/04

spyware vendor removing spyware??? bep | 05/27/04

Well, yeah but... ashembers | 05/27/04

crucial! paulfisher44@... | 05/27/04

Competition reduction???? dave@... | 05/27/04

What about MSN? Alias_IT | 05/27/04

Great idea ejmuller@... | 05/27/04

But will they remove 180Solutions from Yahoo Radio? Fat Chink | 05/27/04

Time to Upgrade kiddies.... richards_unsubcribe@... | 05/27/04

Awesome nkromberg | 05/27/04

Who?s watching Yahoo alleycatvt | 05/27/04

Spyware, Adware, Scumware and Other Malicious Code Violates Personal Rights newby7718@... | 05/27/04

well said ecwxby@... | 05/27/04

Removing the Competition Poordirtfarmer | 05/27/04

Spyware No More!!!! Phaze_Shift | 05/27/04

Avenue A ecwxby@... | 05/27/04

Would love that erp68@... | 05/27/04

Prevention is better than cure!!!! dev/hda1 | 05/28/04

Smart Move by Yahoo rizzodj@... | 05/28/04

Give me a break JaredH | 05/28/04

Spywares Jeromeck@... | 05/28/04

SPLENDID! chris_sally_beng@... | 05/28/04

Fantastic... but elprofe | 05/29/04

Good Idea, I think conniew40@... | 05/30/04

Yahoo Anti-Spyware features erampy1@... | 06/08/04