Anti-Spyware Coalition
Encyclopedia
The Anti-Spyware Coalition (ASC) is a group dedicated to building a consensus about definitions and best practices in the debate surrounding spyware
and other potentially unwanted technologies.
Composed of anti-spyware software companies, academics, and consumer groups, the ASC seeks to bring together a diverse array of perspective on the problem of controlling spyware and other potentially unwanted technologies.
(CDT), a non-profit public policy organization, spearheaded the movement in April 2005 when Ari Schwartz
called together the initial group of Anti-Spyware companies.
The group gathered momentum by adding more members and started to build consensus by authoring a series of documents within the coalition, and then soliciting feedback from the community at large. The first set of documents consisted of a definition of Spyware (and potentially unwanted technologies) and a vendor dispute resolution process. This was followed by a "Risk Model" that provides Anti-Spyware vendors with a framework for classifying software. Most recently, in March 2007 the ASC published their public final draft of their long awaited Best Practices document.
Spyware
Spyware is a type of malware that can be installed on computers, and which collects small pieces of information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's...
and other potentially unwanted technologies.
Composed of anti-spyware software companies, academics, and consumer groups, the ASC seeks to bring together a diverse array of perspective on the problem of controlling spyware and other potentially unwanted technologies.
History
Formed in 2005, The ASC filled the void left by the dissolution of the Consortium of Anti-Spyware Technology Vendors (COAST) which broke up over internal dissent. The Center for Democracy and TechnologyCenter for Democracy and Technology
The Center for Democracy & Technology is a Washington, D.C. based 501 non-profit public-interest group that works to promote an open, innovative and free Internet....
(CDT), a non-profit public policy organization, spearheaded the movement in April 2005 when Ari Schwartz
Ari Schwartz
Ari M. Schwartz is the Internet Policy Advisor at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, working on the Internet Policy Task Force at the Department of Commerce...
called together the initial group of Anti-Spyware companies.
The group gathered momentum by adding more members and started to build consensus by authoring a series of documents within the coalition, and then soliciting feedback from the community at large. The first set of documents consisted of a definition of Spyware (and potentially unwanted technologies) and a vendor dispute resolution process. This was followed by a "Risk Model" that provides Anti-Spyware vendors with a framework for classifying software. Most recently, in March 2007 the ASC published their public final draft of their long awaited Best Practices document.
Members
As of March, 2007, the ASC members are:- Aluria Software, an Earthlink company
- AhnLab IncAhnLab IncAhnLab, Inc. , founded in 1995, is a security software provider in South Korea. AhnLab sells computer software such as antivirus software, online security, network security appliances such as firewalls, IPS, UTM, and security software for online game and Mobile Web.- History :Ahn Cheol-Soo found...
- AOLAOLAOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
- Berkman Center for Internet & SocietyBerkman Center for Internet & SocietyThe Berkman Center for Internet & Society is a research center at Harvard University that focuses on the study of cyberspace. Founded at Harvard Law School, the center traditionally focused on internet-related legal issues. On May 15, 2008, the Center was elevated to an interfaculty initiative of...
, Harvard Law SchoolHarvard Law SchoolHarvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S... - Bit9
- Blue Coat SystemsBlue Coat SystemsBlue Coat Systems Inc. is a network security and network management company based in Sunnyvale, California, United States.It identifies itself as an application delivery network specialist...
- Canadian Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email
- US Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial Email
- Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest ClinicCanadian Internet Policy and Public Interest ClinicCanadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic is a legal clinic at the University of Ottawa focused on maintaining fair and balanced policy making in Canada related to technology...
- Center for Democracy and TechnologyCenter for Democracy and TechnologyThe Center for Democracy & Technology is a Washington, D.C. based 501 non-profit public-interest group that works to promote an open, innovative and free Internet....
- CNET Networks
- Computer Associates
- Dell, Inc.
- EsetEsetESET is an IT security company head-quartered in Bratislava, Slovakia that was founded in 1992 by the merger of two private companies. The company was awarded as the most successful Slovak company in 2008, 2009 and 2010...
- F-SecureF-SecureF-Secure Corporation is an anti-virus and computer security software company based in Helsinki, Finland. The company has 18 country offices and a presence in more than 100 countries, with Security Lab operations in Helsinki, Finland and in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
- GoogleGoogleGoogle Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
- Grisoft
- HP
- ICSA Labs
- Internet Education Foundation
- ISSISSThe ISS is the International Space Station.ISS may also refer to:* I See Stars, an American electronic rock band* ISS A/S, a Danish service company* Idea Star Singer, a Malayalam music reality show by Asianet TV...
- LavasoftLavasoftLavasoft is a software development company that produces anti‐spyware software, including Ad‐Aware.The company offers a free, downloadable version of Ad‐Aware titled Ad‐Aware Free Internet Security and three commercial versions called Ad-Aware Total Security, Ad‐Aware Pro Internet Security, and...
- McAfeeMcAfeeMcAfee, Inc. is a computer security company headquartered in Santa Clara, California, USA. It markets software and services to home users, businesses and the public sector. On August 19, 2010, electronics company Intel agreed to purchase McAfee for $7.68 billion...
- Mi5 Networks
- MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
- National Center for Victims of Crime
- National Cyber Security AllianceNational Cyber Security AllianceThe National Cyber Security Alliance , a 501c non-profit founded in 2001, is a public private partnership, working with the Department of Homeland Security , private sector sponsors , and nonprofit collaborators to promote cyber security awareness for home users, small and medium size businesses,...
- National Network to End Domestic ViolenceNational Network to End Domestic ViolenceThe National Network to End Domestic Violence is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in the District of Columbia since 1995. It is a network of state domestic violence coalitions, representing over 2,000 member organizations nationwide...
- Panda SoftwarePanda SoftwarePanda Security SL, formerly Panda Software, is a computer security company founded in 1990 by Panda's former CEO, Mikel Urizarbarrena, in the city of Bilbao, Spain...
- PC Tools
- Radialpoint
- Safer-Networking Ltd.
- Samuelson Law, Technology and Public Policy Clinic at Boalt Hall
- UC Berkeley School of Law
- Sana Security
- Shavlik TechnologiesShavlik technologiesShavlik Technologies is a privately-held company founded in 1993 by Mark Shavlik, who was one of the original developers of Windows NT in the late 1980s and early '90s at Microsoft...
- SophosSophosSophos is a developer and vendor of security software and hardware, including anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, network access control, encryption software and data loss prevention for desktops, servers, email systems and other network gateways....
- Spamhaus
- Sunbelt SoftwareSunbelt SoftwareSunbelt Software was a computer security software company based in Clearwater, Florida. On July 13, 2010, its CEO, Alex Eckelberry, announced in a that GFI Software acquired it in full.Among its products are*Sunbelt Personal Firewall*Counterspy...
- SurfControlSurfControlSurfControl Plc., was a British software company based in Cheshire, England. The company provided website filtering, e-mail filtering and desktop security software for both enterprise and home users....
- SymantecSymantecSymantec Corporation is the largest maker of security software for computers. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and is a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500 stock market index.-History:...
- Tenebril
- Trend MicroTrend MicroTrend Micro Inc. is a computer security company. It is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and markets Trend Micro Internet Security, Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security, OfficeScan, and other related security products and services...
- Webroot SoftwareWebroot SoftwareWebroot provides Internet security software for consumers, enterprises and small and medium–sized businesses. Originally started in Boulder, CO the company is now headquartered in Broomfield, CO, the company has operations in Australia, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Japan and the United Kingdom.-...
- WebsenseWebsenseWebsense is a San Diego-based company specializing in Web security gateway software. It enables clients to block access to chosen categories of websites.-History:Websense was founded by Phil Trubey in 1994...
- Yahoo! Inc.