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Spyware Striker Pro

The latest version of Spyware Striker available from the company's website, version 7.1.2 (April 2009 edition), does not appear to exhibit the badware behaviors addressed in this alert. As the previous versions are no longer widely distributed, the alert has been archived as of April 27, 2009.

This alert was last updated on March 27, 2009 to reflect changes to the version of the software that is currently available. The prior version of this report is available here.

We find that Spyware Striker Pro is badware because it repeatedly displays notifications that exaggerate the threat of harm from various 'infections' found on users' computers, in order to induce users to purchase the full version of the software.

We currently recommend that users do not install Spyware Striker Pro, unless users are comfortable with the behaviors we have identified or until the application is updated to be consistent with the recommendations in this alert.

 
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OVERALL RATING

BAD OR UNDISCLOSED BEHAVIOR
Software Which Interferes With The User’s Normal Computer Usage (Guideline III.F)
Spyware Striker Pro repeatedly notifies users that their computers are infected with spyware threats, even if the only threats identified are tracking cookies. Though such cookies are considered by the security industry to be a low-risk threat, the warnings do not always make this distinction, and prompt users to purchase a registration key to rectify this exaggerated threat (i.e., to remove the tracking cookies).

Recommendations
We recommend that Ascentive makes the following changes:
  • Cease to exaggerate the threat of harm from certain 'spywares' like tracking cookies, and cease to exaggerate the performance and other benefits of removing these 'threats' to induce the user to purchase the software.
We currently recommend that users do not install Spyware Striker Pro, unless users are comfortable with the behaviors we have identified or until the application is updated to be consistent with the recommendations in this alert.
This alert represents StopBadware's findings during our initial testing period. Additional badware behaviors that were not initially detected may exist in the application.

For more information, visit www.stopbadware.org.

  
ALERT INFORMATION

ALERT DATE
March 27, 2009

ALERT VERSION
Version 2.0

PREVIOUS VERSIONS
This report was updated 3/27/09. The prior report, which evaluated version 7.1.0 of the software, is available here.


APPLICATION INFORMATION

SOFTWARE VERSION
7.1.2 ("March 2009 Edition")

SELF-IDENTIFICATION
"Easy-to-use Spyware Removal Software"

PRODUCER
Ascentive

OBTAINED
Downloaded March 23, 2009 from www.ascentive.com

BUNDLING
The Spyware Striker Pro installer also installs Ascentive's "Performance Center" software.