Anti-Spyware alliances crumble...Webroot going rogue?

We now have COAST being joined by 180 solutions. In case you don't know...

180solutions, a provider of search marketing solutions, today announced it has become a developer member of the Consortium of Anti-Spyware Technology vendors (COAST).

COAST (http://www.coast-info.org/) is a non-profit organization comprised of anti-spyware vendors, software developers and researchers who have come together in an effort to educate and protect consumers and businesses from the Internet’s burgeoning spyware problem. By working with COAST and complying with its strict Code of Ethics, standards and guidelines, 180solutions aligns itself with the organization’s governing companies, Aluria Software LLC, PestPatrol, Inc. (recently acquired by Computer Associates), Webroot, Inc., and NoAdware.net.

Yes, big business has finally brought the boundaries between "good" and "Bad" software crashing down - 180 solutions are the creators of some of the most insidious adware around. Whilst Aluria have since been unceremoniously dumped from the A-SAP.org network, the big shock is that Webroot (makers of Spysweeper) are teaming up with 180 solutions - whose Adware Spysweeper removes!

It was bad enough when Aluria sold out, but if Webroot are goin down the same path it could set a dangerous trend for other spyware-removal companies to follow. Short of a few R&D bucks? No problem, team up with a filthy rich adware provider and scrub them from your definitions list because hey, they're all right now jack!

And what of those companies who provide support forums such as HJT removal? Many do - will those companies selling up begin to treat their fixes differently? I think so.

More than ever, Microsoft getting into the anti-spyware field may just be your best hope of keeping your machine clean.

For now, reliable products will always be found on the Recommended List at SpywareWarrior, just like the rogue applications will forver sit on the Rogue-Antispyware list until their methods and practices change.

Alongside this, you will only ever get 100% guaranteed reliable advice on any site that is a member of the A-SAP network. So the fight isn't over yet!