B
Bill
Response to questions about Claria software
Dear Customer,
This week we received some questions around Microsoft's
classification of Claria software in our Microsoft Windows
AntiSpyware (Beta). We wanted to take this opportunity to
clear up any misconceptions and explain our current
policies and practices.
As you may know, the analysis of software is based on a
single set of objective criteria, which can be found on
our web site: Windows AntiSpyware (Beta): Analysis
approach and categories.
Microsoft offers all software companies the opportunity to
request a review of how Microsoft classifies their
products through our vendor dispute process. In January,
Claria filed a request for Microsoft to reevaluate some of
its products. Upon review of their software against our
criteria, we determined that continued detection of
Claria's products was indeed appropriate. We also decided
that adjustments should be made to the classification of
Claria software in order to be fair and consistent with
how Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) handles similar software
from other vendors. At the end of March, we communicated
to Claria the result of our analysis through our standard
process.
We take software analysis for Windows AntiSpyware (Beta)
very seriously and handle all vendor requests in the same
manner. All software is reviewed under the same objective
criteria, detection policies, and analysis process.
Absolutely no exceptions were made for Claria. Windows
AntiSpyware (Beta) continues to notify our users when
Claria software is found on a computer, and it offers our
users the option to remove the software if they desire.
Microsoft is committed to helping protect our customers
from spyware and other unwanted software by providing
guidance and technology solutions. We firmly believe that
people should have complete control over what runs on
their computers.
Today, anti-spyware vendors use different approaches,
definitions, and types of criteria for identifying and
categorizing spyware and other potentially unwanted
software. This has limited the industry's ability to have
a broad, coordinated impact in addressing the problem.
That is a key reason Microsoft is a founding member of the
Anti-Spyware Coalition, a group of technology companies
and anti-spyware companies working alongside public
interest groups to address key spyware issues.
Meanwhile, Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is an
initial beta release and we continue to receive valuable
feedback from customers, which is helping our development
of the final version of Windows AntiSpyware. We encourage
people to provide feedback at (e-mail address removed) and
stay up-to-date on the latest developments on Windows
AntiSpyware at Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) Home.
Thank you for your continued interest and support of
Windows AntiSpyware.
Sincerely,
Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) Team
Dear Customer,
This week we received some questions around Microsoft's
classification of Claria software in our Microsoft Windows
AntiSpyware (Beta). We wanted to take this opportunity to
clear up any misconceptions and explain our current
policies and practices.
As you may know, the analysis of software is based on a
single set of objective criteria, which can be found on
our web site: Windows AntiSpyware (Beta): Analysis
approach and categories.
Microsoft offers all software companies the opportunity to
request a review of how Microsoft classifies their
products through our vendor dispute process. In January,
Claria filed a request for Microsoft to reevaluate some of
its products. Upon review of their software against our
criteria, we determined that continued detection of
Claria's products was indeed appropriate. We also decided
that adjustments should be made to the classification of
Claria software in order to be fair and consistent with
how Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) handles similar software
from other vendors. At the end of March, we communicated
to Claria the result of our analysis through our standard
process.
We take software analysis for Windows AntiSpyware (Beta)
very seriously and handle all vendor requests in the same
manner. All software is reviewed under the same objective
criteria, detection policies, and analysis process.
Absolutely no exceptions were made for Claria. Windows
AntiSpyware (Beta) continues to notify our users when
Claria software is found on a computer, and it offers our
users the option to remove the software if they desire.
Microsoft is committed to helping protect our customers
from spyware and other unwanted software by providing
guidance and technology solutions. We firmly believe that
people should have complete control over what runs on
their computers.
Today, anti-spyware vendors use different approaches,
definitions, and types of criteria for identifying and
categorizing spyware and other potentially unwanted
software. This has limited the industry's ability to have
a broad, coordinated impact in addressing the problem.
That is a key reason Microsoft is a founding member of the
Anti-Spyware Coalition, a group of technology companies
and anti-spyware companies working alongside public
interest groups to address key spyware issues.
Meanwhile, Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is an
initial beta release and we continue to receive valuable
feedback from customers, which is helping our development
of the final version of Windows AntiSpyware. We encourage
people to provide feedback at (e-mail address removed) and
stay up-to-date on the latest developments on Windows
AntiSpyware at Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) Home.
Thank you for your continued interest and support of
Windows AntiSpyware.
Sincerely,
Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) Team